1
as in eclectic
consisting of many things of different sorts
a ship with a motley crew of old salts, young adventurers, and shifty characters of all ages
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in colorful
marked by a variety of usually vivid colors
a tropical bird with motley plumage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in assortment
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
a motley of old junk stored in the attic
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 motley
Alison Herman,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
The result is a scathing takedown that will find techies throughout the Valley looking over their shoulders and speculating on who is who amongst the show’s motley collection of fictional backstabbers obsessed with growing their profit margin and amassing wealth and power.
—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2025
This made us—with all our human, mortal limitations—rather like the God of all those past centuries of belief, or should that be credulity: the God who retained and stored away everything in his motley, moveless time, in which nothing was new or old, remote or recent.
—
Margaret Jull Costa,
Harper’s Magazine ,
10 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for motley
Adjective
Kevin’s new roommates at Astoria-area adoption center Furrever Friends are a motley bumch.
—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
The result is a scathing takedown that will find techies throughout the Valley looking over their shoulders and speculating on who is who amongst the show’s motley collection of fictional backstabbers obsessed with growing their profit margin and amassing wealth and power.
—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
Her goal is to start a women’s consciousness-raising group, and her efforts have brought together a motley, inquisitive quintet.
—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2025
This made us—with all our human, mortal limitations—rather like the God of all those past centuries of belief, or should that be credulity: the God who retained and stored away everything in his motley, moveless time, in which nothing was new or old, remote or recent.
—
Margaret Jull Costa,
Harper’s Magazine ,
10 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for motley
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motley
Adjective
-
There are scenic chairlift rides, an auto toll road to the top of Vermont’s highest peak, a fantastic recreation trail, hiking right out the door, and an awesome town with every activity imaginable, all kinds of great food and eclectic shopping.
-
Each room has an eclectic mix of contemporary art, antiques, textiles, rugs, and books, and also features a fireplace and generous seating areas.
Adjective
-
Bringing new teenage characters into the Factory, with Kit Connor already announced as lead voice cast, the film appears to be a fast-paced, thrilling and colorful adventure for young audiences, and got enthusiastic feedback from Annecy’s crowds.
-
Lasichanh sported colorful sneakers for her footwear, carried a small Louis Vuitton bag and wore delicate jewelry pieces to complete her casually bent attire.
Noun
-
Don’t let the cream’s $8 price tag fool you; the anti-aging find tackles fine lines, wrinkles, and clogged pores, all while being gentle enough for all skin types.
-
This is an ignoble war making monsters and fools out of its participants, and against the uncontrollable weapons that are dragons, everyone’s resolve is crumbling.
Noun
-
The compact assortment amps up the contemporary style that Wong specializes in.
-
Offering trend-forward styles for both men and women, this assortment includes year-round favorites designed for all-day comfort.
Adjective
-
The return on investment varied widely by major, from a high of $204,686 for engineering and architecture degrees to a low of $35,410 for liberal arts.
-
Projections varied in the weeks leading up to the draft with no real consensus among draft analysts, but in the last 24 hours there were strong indications the Clippers would choose Wagler and the Nets would take Brown.
Adjective
-
Enjoy caramel-colored foliage in spring and fall and pink blooms throughout summer that attract pollinators.
-
Squeezits No '90s lunch box felt complete without a brightly colored bottle of Squeezits.
Noun
-
The island village is beset by sea hags, serial killers, creepy clowns and other evils that interfere with Tom’s dream of turning Widow’s Bay into a Martha’s Vineyard-like tourist destination.
-
Even the announcers are laughing at the clown Way to swing the bat.
Noun
-
Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.
-
Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.
Cite this Entry
“Motley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motley. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
