Motif
Motif noun - A major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition).
Usage example: the motif of mute figures standing in lonely isolation is a recurrent one in the artist's works
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Synonyms for Motif
Theme
Theme noun - A major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition).
Usage example: this dance piece deals with the timeless themes of birth and death
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Synonyms for Theme
Motif is a synonym for theme in idea topic. You can use "Motif" instead a noun "Theme", if it concerns topics such as melody, subject, music. popular alternative
Nearby Word: thematic
Mutual synonyms
How words are described
| musical | musical motif | musical theme |
| similar | similar motif | similar theme |
| usual | usual motif | usual theme |
| common | common motif | common theme |
| Other adjectives: specific, regular, original, prominent, heavy, popular, strong, entire, constant, big, main, important, key, unique, major, general, primary, central, different, recurring, visual, overall, instrumental. | ||
Both words in one sentence
- The work of Geoff Johns frequently revolves around themes such as family, managing your emotions and finding your place in the world, with the theme corresponding to the overall motif or theme of the character(s) he's writing for.
Source: Central Theme / Comic Books -
Masamichi tells Mashiro that "fate is made by those who know how," and fate was the motif/theme in Kare Wa Tomodachi.
Source: Manga / Shiro no Eden -
Elder abuse has been the theme/motif of many an episode of various Law & Order series' episodes.
Source: Elder Abuse
Cite this Source
Theme and Motif. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/motif/theme
Motif & Theme. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/motif/theme>.
Theme or Motif. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/motif/theme.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "motif" and "theme" have occurred on timeline