1
as in theme
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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Recent Examples of motif
These design motifs from Boucheron’s archive all come together in the French jewelry house’s Quatre collection of rings, necklaces, and earrings.
—
Air Mail, 24 May 2025
Her first creations, a diamond necklace and earrings in a fan motif, referenced her family’s roots in eastern Nigeria, where making fans, especially in raffia and leather, is a traditional handicraft.
—Victoria Gomelsky, New York Times, 20 May 2025
The motif of changelings—of fairies taking a human child and leaving a nonhuman child in its place—comes up throughout the story.
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
For 99 years, the criss-cross balcony motif that runs along the Bullens Road Stand has been the symbol of Goodison Park’s enduring charm.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for motif
Air Mail, 24 May 2025
Her first creations, a diamond necklace and earrings in a fan motif, referenced her family’s roots in eastern Nigeria, where making fans, especially in raffia and leather, is a traditional handicraft.
—Victoria Gomelsky, New York Times, 20 May 2025
The motif of changelings—of fairies taking a human child and leaving a nonhuman child in its place—comes up throughout the story.
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
For 99 years, the criss-cross balcony motif that runs along the Bullens Road Stand has been the symbol of Goodison Park’s enduring charm.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for motif
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motif
Noun
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Throughout their testimonies on Friday, there were common themes: The abuse was so traumatizing that those who are married haven’t shared what happened with their wives and pray their children will never learn the truth.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
24 May 2025
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In addition, the other theme of this article holds true: think differently than the competition.—
Rebecca Fraser-Thill,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Noun
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In our analysis of foreign health care systems, my colleagues and I found that in country after country a persistent pattern emerged: over-provision to the healthy and under-provision to the sick.—
John C. Goodman,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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The oldest bag, a velvet clutch with a floral pattern, dates back to the end of the 1920s.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
24 May 2025
Noun
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Angela is also opening up about sensitive topics — like being millions of dollars in debt over these houses??—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
2 June 2025
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There are many ways to celebrate spring, but few contemporary artists have devoted more attention to the topic than David Hockney.—
Françoise Mouly,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
Noun
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The experience of working with elite football clubs exposed Bord to inefficiencies, and the absence of sophisticated algorithms that his company designs.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
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Its design was based on the Japanese Nori shoe, which was made from straw.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Others, meanwhile, said family matters should be left for behind closed doors and not for public shaming.—
Stephanie Guerilus,
People.com,
1 June 2025
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They were raised during the internet boom, financial decentralization, and the notion that digital identity and ownership matter.—
Chrissa McFarlane,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
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Any doc brings up those questions, but Paul really brought them to the surface.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
27 May 2025
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Taking the questions out of Black haircare, SLIQ does the thinking for you.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motif.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motif. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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