motley 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmät-lē How to pronounce motley (audio)
Definition of motleynext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in colorful
marked by a variety of usually vivid colors a tropical bird with motley plumage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

motley

2 of 2

noun

1
as in fool
a person formerly kept in a royal or noble household to amuse with jests and pranks the motleys with their colorful outfits

Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Adjective
Rebecca and Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) have enticed Ted back to England from Kansas to coach their new women’s team, a motley group of players desperately in need of Ted’s guidance. — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 Things are getting serious for our motley investigative crew. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 8 July 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 Kaan kaan wu, with its motley of melds, is where these two tiles from different suits can be used in a clean-sweeping hand. — Rudy Lee, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2023 See All Example Sentences for motley
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motley
  1. eclectic
  2. colorful
  3. fool
  4. assortment
  5. varied
  6. colored
  7. clown
  8. jumble
Adjective
  • And for more than two heady years, music lovers within a mile or two of the Sunset Junction area could groove to the wildly eclectic sounds of KBLT, a pirate radio station that operated from 1995 to 1998.
    — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The eclectic home includes a dining room with a curved wall, a music room with crown molding, and a living room with French doors.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of eclectic
Adjective
  • The rooms, with colorful textiles, ceramics from Oaxaca’s La Chicharra studio, whitewashed walls offset with dark sapodilla wood floors, are cool and welcoming after a day in the bright sun.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Polish artist and designer Sonia Górecka often turns to folklore for her ethereal textile creations, mixing and matching traditional pagan figures and motifs on sheer curtains and colorful hanging jacquard weavings.
    — Francesca Perry, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of colorful
Noun
  • But Thomas and Erika are no fools, coolly telling off smiling Hitler sympathizers during a tony reception.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Atlanta Dream might now be the hottest ticket in town and State Farm Arena would be fools not to host them in Game 6.
    — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • Sake Sushi’s menu serves classic Japanese sashimi and Americanized sushi, including spicy salmon rolls, crunch roll and an assortment of baked, fried and cooked rolls.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Opening Thursday and live through early January, the shop will feature Ralph Lauren Purple Label and Ralph Lauren Collection alongside an assortment of luxury gifts.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of assortment
Adjective
  • Even after the engines are removed, firms are looking for parts as varied as landing gear and antennae to sell.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • In the ads analyzed by Noticias Telemundo, the form and content indicating it was done with AI varied; there were differences ranging from the text size to the wording.
    — Anagilmara Vílchez, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of varied
Adjective
  • To begin her drawings, Trouvé pours bleach onto blank sheets of industrial colored paper.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Lifelike Cat With a face full of fur and electric-green-colored contacts, this cat costume begs to be seen.
    — Michella Oré, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of colored
Noun
  • That’s not to jinx the master clown who’s currently doddering around in Argan’s shoes on Broadway.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In several descriptions of these amateur events, including some of his own, Hemingway sounds less like a matador than a rodeo clown.
    — Stephen Bates, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of clown
Noun
  • Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.
    — Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.
    — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of jumble

Browse Nearby Words

motivity
motley
motleys
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Cite this Entry

“Motley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motley. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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