MOTIFS Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

motifs

noun

plural of motif

as in themes

a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition) the motif of mute figures standing in lonely isolation is a recurrent one in the artist's works

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in patterns

a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric) the fabric for the upholstery features a scallop shell motif

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of motifs The store is also offering personalization services, where their artisans gold-stamp diaries, notebooks and leather styles with initials and playful motifs. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 Taking a cue from Dante himself, Curci also borrowed motifs from popular mythology. — Ed Meza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 The Harmony Suite, for example, embraces shades of blue, wave-like motifs, and all things water. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026 These glasses have plenty of personality with playful prints, unexpected motifs, and fun patterns. — Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 Floral motifs appear throughout the mosque’s floors and walls, while columns rise like flower stems, each inlaid with mother-of-pearl and semi-precious stones that climb toward capitals shaped like palm fronds. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026 In their video works, Phil Colllins and Christian Jankowski both edit together various scenes from telenovelas, both imagined and real, respectively, as a way to draw attention to these recurring motifs. — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motifs

Noun

However, a preview on the Haunted World website includes glimpses of circus, alien, ghost and cannibal themes.

— Hali Smith October 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2026
Nearly all were from Democrat Sherrod Brown’s campaign and leaned heavily on pocketbook themes.

— Kevin Freking, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of themes

Noun

The new plans also include more changes to the project's lighting and traffic patterns.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Prediction extends beyond the cerebral cortex The researchers used machine learning to determine whether brain activity patterns could distinguish between visual and tactile experiences.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of patterns

Noun

The five-phase planning process for rebuilding the mansion was expected to be completed this fall, but the project appears to remain in the planning stage, based on the topics scheduled for discussion at the open house.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
On October 15, Flow Space welcomed hundreds of attendees to its annual Women’s Health Summit for a day of conversations about the hottest topics in midlife women’s health.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of topics

Noun

Dante populated his realms of Hell and Purgatory with figures, monsters and moral frameworks borrowed directly from classical Greek and Roman myths.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Of late, Holloway’s inspirations have included figures from history, music stars, actors and socialites such as the Duke of Windsor, Bryan Ferry and Charlie Watts.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of figures

Noun

This matters because young broiler chickens (chickens raised for meat) require very warm conditions to mature.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
That rinse-clean standard matters for anyone worried about buildup, since a scalp oil that lingers after washing can leave hair looking greasy rather than nourished.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of matters

Noun

The handbag would go on to become one of Fendi’s most celebrated designs.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Testing a different reactor design Unlike conventional reactors, which typically use solid fuel, molten salt reactor designs can dissolve nuclear fuel in liquid salt.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of designs

Noun

Very few subjects show any drug in their blood after skin application.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The Money Play Traditionally, subjects don’t earn money for their participation in a documentary because of ethical issues; being paid would create a conflict of interest for them.

— Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of subjects

Noun

Weighing around four pounds, the six by four foot penacho previously featured several sections of different colored feathers along with gold ornaments on a net held in place by slim wooden rods.

— News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026
The image could be found on T-shirts, hats, billboards, beer bottles, Christmas ornaments and even adorned the cover of several books written about the championship season.

— Mark Long, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of ornaments

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motif

motifs

motile

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“Motifs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motifs. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of motifs

noun

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