as in clutter
something that holds or includes many different things
They used the drawer as a catchall for kitchen items.
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Recent Examples of catchall
Observers eventually found many other similar objects, which were collectively given the catchall name Seyfert galaxies (after American astronomer Carl Seyfert, who discovered several of them).
—
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2025
This isn’t so much a category as a catchall for any other pair of funky pants that don’t quite fit the above parameters.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2025
Use it as a jewelry holder, bathroom tray, or a catchall tray on an entryway table.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
For years, critics in the United States and Europe have been skeptical of the catchall concept of the global South, dismissing it as an impossibly broad label to apply to a diverse collection of more than 100 postcolonial and developing countries.
—Stewart Patrick, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catchall
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2025
This isn’t so much a category as a catchall for any other pair of funky pants that don’t quite fit the above parameters.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2025
Use it as a jewelry holder, bathroom tray, or a catchall tray on an entryway table.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
For years, critics in the United States and Europe have been skeptical of the catchall concept of the global South, dismissing it as an impossibly broad label to apply to a diverse collection of more than 100 postcolonial and developing countries.
—Stewart Patrick, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catchall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catchall
Noun
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As Spring told Fortune, Macy’s recent success—including its best quarter for sales growth in three years—is thanks to a playbook focused on less store clutter, a more focused assortment of products and brands, and more staffing in key departments such as women’s shoes and dresses.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
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Minimize clutter in your garage, attic, basement, and other areas where stink bugs may take up shelter.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In a cultural milieu in which cool now amounts to assembling the most cunning collage of references, Rosalía has given her stylish postmodernism a powerful bass note of purpose.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
11 Nov. 2025
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Participants can sculpt with air-dry clay, paint on canvas, or craft a collage or mixed-media piece such as a design vision board.—
Staff Author,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Ray’s most chaotic photograms—jumbles that push out of the frame or look like time bombs ready to explode—find echoes in his films, projected on the back walls, a show in themselves.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
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In jumbles of old stones that, to me, are barely legible as the remains of buildings, Cocon López could see the entire timeline of old Aké and how later people interacted with and repurposed what came before.—
Lizzie Wade,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
Noun
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The area increased to 80% by 2018, according to state media, after numerous buildings and city walls were restored, and 135 temporary structures inside the compound were torn down.—
Fred He,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Early analysis reveals that Bennu’s dust is rich in carbon, nitrogen, and organic compounds, essential ingredients for life, and even contains unexpected phosphate veins.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Guests can also enjoy fresh pastas, wings and salads, along with beers on tap, premium wines and non alcoholic beverages.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
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Pair with a simple salad and crusty bread.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In five years, the Academy Museum Gala has blossomed from the mishmash of style seen on its opening night in 2021 to a polished evening of haute couture, bespoke tuxedos and plentiful high jewelry, all served up on a blue carpet that was a new addition to the annual fundraiser.—
Laurie Brookins,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
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The accelerated momentum was helpful in stabilizing — or perhaps acclimating viewers to — the show’s mishmash of tones, which staple together motormouthed policy wonkery and combustible romantic chemistry.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catchall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catchall. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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