as in colored
marked by a variety of usually vivid colors
polychrome pottery featuring designs from the American Southwest
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Recent Examples of polychrome
Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
Coat of black silk satin brocaded with polychrome silk thread in a pattern of tulips; belt of black silk satin; blouse of white silk-cotton batiste; skirt of beige cotton-linen twill.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 28 June 2024
In the artist Eddie Martinez’s dense, polychrome paintings, each mark is haunted by the gesture that made it and each color seems to demand its own verb: The thick gray drips; a bright red streak declares; a daub of blue hesitates.
—Phoebe Chen, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2023
The polychrome theme continues indoors in kaleidoscopic floor patterns, a wall tiled with the colors of every Latin American flag, and an immense mural by Aurelio del Muro and Marta Blair.
—Wes Tarca, Curbed, 12 Jan. 2023
Hudson’s Birdie shows up with suitcases full of rich-hippie clothes, including a mesmerizing polychrome swirl of a dress that nearly hypnotizes the other guests into a stupor.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 22 Nov. 2022
The study focuses on the polychrome pottery of the late classic Mayan period (600–900 CE), which frequently depicts palace scenes, ball games, hunting parties, and dances associated with human sacrifice (via decapitation).
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 15 Sep. 2022
La Grande Dame is made of carved and polychrome wood that has been painted with imagery alluding to a rich tapestry of cultural references, including ancient folklore, witchcraft, and an Egyptian creation myth.
—Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Adjective
Its chandeliers are made of handblown Murano glass, its bathrooms of polychrome Italian marble.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
Coat of black silk satin brocaded with polychrome silk thread in a pattern of tulips; belt of black silk satin; blouse of white silk-cotton batiste; skirt of beige cotton-linen twill.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 28 June 2024
In the artist Eddie Martinez’s dense, polychrome paintings, each mark is haunted by the gesture that made it and each color seems to demand its own verb: The thick gray drips; a bright red streak declares; a daub of blue hesitates.
—Phoebe Chen, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2023
The polychrome theme continues indoors in kaleidoscopic floor patterns, a wall tiled with the colors of every Latin American flag, and an immense mural by Aurelio del Muro and Marta Blair.
—Wes Tarca, Curbed, 12 Jan. 2023
Hudson’s Birdie shows up with suitcases full of rich-hippie clothes, including a mesmerizing polychrome swirl of a dress that nearly hypnotizes the other guests into a stupor.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 22 Nov. 2022
The study focuses on the polychrome pottery of the late classic Mayan period (600–900 CE), which frequently depicts palace scenes, ball games, hunting parties, and dances associated with human sacrifice (via decapitation).
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 15 Sep. 2022
La Grande Dame is made of carved and polychrome wood that has been painted with imagery alluding to a rich tapestry of cultural references, including ancient folklore, witchcraft, and an Egyptian creation myth.
—Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polychrome
Adjective
-
During this time, monarchs cluster together in packed colonies for warmth—in a good year, thousands of monarchs might rest on a single tree, creating a kaleidoscope of brilliantly colored wings.—
Chelsee Lowe,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
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Remember, a hard freeze will still damage them, turning them mushy and off-colored.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The marbling method, a simple smoosh, pinch, and roll, creates bakery-worthy swirls in every cookie.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Ravn’s prose is striking too, richly marbled with quotation and detail pulled from primary source letters and court documents.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Duran opened a colorful and fun new space in Elizabeth, accented with custom art.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Nov. 2025
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There are ski helmets and Stetsons, colorful Gortex bibs and brown cowhide chaps, floor-length fur coats and hip-length puffer jackets — and of course, ski boots and cowboy boots.—
Cari Shane,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Illinois skies are mottled.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The parrot’s feathers are a bright gilded green mottled with black, and its life span is comparable to that of a human.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Several artists will compete across genre categories, and there may be no artist more varied than Turnstile.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
7 Nov. 2025
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Lost & Found In Cleveland, produced, written and directed by Marisa Guterman and Keith Gerchak, opens on about 350 screens with varied showtimes, the first film testing a new theatrical distribution and online digital marketplace called Attend developed by the Fithian Group.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Chapter 02 lineup includes wrap coats in twin layers of double-faced wool; reversible jackets with one side plain, the other patterned, and crinkled unisex trenchcoats that pack up neatly into a travel pouch, printed with a bicycle pattern drawn from Veldkamp’s art, among other key items.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
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While patterned baskets certainly help make storage more cute and adorable, turns out, clear or see-through bins are slightly more effective.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Adept anglers can fly-fish for them across the varied terrain of the property’s creeks or patrol the marshy perimeters its six Class A lakes for the coveted catch, as well as fellow trout—namely rainbow, brown, and brook–that often exceed 20 inches.—
Alexandra Kirkman,
Robb Report,
29 May 2025
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Suspended from the fashionable wooden arch are a teething ring, crinkly rainbow, rattle, mirror, and plush moon to promote hand-eye coordination.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
24 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Silver streaked the black comma of his fringe.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Pike subtly checked from a 10-yard hitch route to a go route for receiver Binns, who streaked down the sideline against press coverage to haul in a diving, game-winning touchdown in the back corner of the end zone.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polychrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polychrome. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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