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
Paul’s confession and suicide therefore strikes a sour chord on the series’ driving motif.
—
Andy Crump, Time, 20 July 2025
Egyptian motifs, suggesting not ancient death cults — very pagan — but eternity as a general proposition, decorated lots of antebellum American cemeteries, among them Mount Auburn in Cambridge.
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 19 July 2025
Related: The Newest Hotel in Osaka, Japan, Is in One of the City's Most Impressive Buildings, With an On-site Onsen and an 11-acre Park Next Door
There are subtle peacock-tail motifs throughout the hotel, from the kumiko woodwork headboards to the washi paper in the elevator.
—Amber Gibson, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
The lounge area gets a stylish refresh, with the House’s iconic Web and Interlocking G motifs splashed in a breezy, seasonal palette.
—Erica Wertheim Zohar, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for motif
Andy Crump, Time, 20 July 2025
Egyptian motifs, suggesting not ancient death cults — very pagan — but eternity as a general proposition, decorated lots of antebellum American cemeteries, among them Mount Auburn in Cambridge.
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 19 July 2025
Related: The Newest Hotel in Osaka, Japan, Is in One of the City's Most Impressive Buildings, With an On-site Onsen and an 11-acre Park Next Door
There are subtle peacock-tail motifs throughout the hotel, from the kumiko woodwork headboards to the washi paper in the elevator.
—Amber Gibson, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
The lounge area gets a stylish refresh, with the House’s iconic Web and Interlocking G motifs splashed in a breezy, seasonal palette.
—Erica Wertheim Zohar, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for motif
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motif
Noun
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Still staying true to the all-black, high-shine leather theme, Reese wears a pinstriped leather blazer and trouser set from Amiri.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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Evangelista is a Filipino American writer-director whose work spans narrative, commercial and documentary filmmaking and traffics in themes of identity, power and love.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Nneka Ogwumike — Team Collier There’s hardly a moment when Nneka Ogwumike isn’t seen wearing print, with animal print being her go-to pattern for the tunnels.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority worked closely with the Tennessee Department of Transportation on the new interchange and preparing drivers for shifts in traffic pattern.—
Hadley Hitson,
The Tennessean,
24 July 2025
Noun
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All of that, plus other topics, were part of this week’s episode of the Heat Check.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
1 Aug. 2025
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Things spiraled out of control, leading the company to stop the chatbot from engaging on the topic.—
Paulo Carvão,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Its design is inspired by a fairytale and is furnished with mossy interior walls, an upside-down two-top on the ceiling and award-winning bathrooms, among many other details.—
Susan Stapleton,
The Tennessean,
31 July 2025
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The bar's design won the Best Bar Design Award at North America's 50 Best Bars.—
Bahar Anooshahr,
AZCentral.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
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If aldermen out of desperation decide to try this gambit, the city will be sued and the matter will be tied up in the courts.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 July 2025
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This unit is used to measure the fine particulate matter in the air, such as smoke, dust, soot or dirt.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
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The class is specifically designed to provide an opportunity to ask questions about Christianity and our Lutheran theology.—
Carin Schoppmeyer,
Arkansas Online,
27 July 2025
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Now the chaotic rollout of President Trump’s economic policies and threat to the Federal Reserve’s independence have provoked questions about the stability of American assets.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motif.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motif. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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