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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Example Sentences
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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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In addition, the other theme of this article holds true: think differently than the competition.—
Rebecca Fraser-Thill,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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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
Noun
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Channel her look with this tote bag from Amazon, which comes in 22 colors and patterns and has amassed hundreds of five-star ratings.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
24 May 2025
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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
Noun
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Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Neal Earley,
Arkansas Online,
22 May 2025
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Students researched topics, including ethics in AI in public relations, internal communication management, crisis communication, and parasocial relationships and their ties to public relations.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
21 May 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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 4 Jun. 2025.
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