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
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Recent Examples of motley
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
The result was a motley mix of humor: wordplay, slapstick, satire, deadpan, sight gags, surrealism, gross-out, topical, as well as random non sequiturs.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 July 2025
Esha Chhabra, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2022
His tall, broad-shouldered hunchback stomps around the court in the multi-colored motley teasing his master and his henchmen with seeming good-natured gaiety.
—Bill Hirschman, sun-sentinel.com, 14 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for motley
Adjective
Her arguable masterpiece follows the vain Leonora Eyre over and around a fraught love quadrangle with a widowed antiques dealer, his nephew, and some other motley souls.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
The result was a motley mix of humor: wordplay, slapstick, satire, deadpan, sight gags, surrealism, gross-out, topical, as well as random non sequiturs.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 July 2025
Noun
With a total team of 25 today, Schaper is trying to juggle a motley of distribution channels, each with their own unique needs and processes.
—Esha Chhabra, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2022
His tall, broad-shouldered hunchback stomps around the court in the multi-colored motley teasing his master and his henchmen with seeming good-natured gaiety.
—Bill Hirschman, sun-sentinel.com, 14 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for motley
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motley
Adjective
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Rashid also said that Chiu wasn’t afraid to look to more eclectic works for potential purchases.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The scope of Huntrix’s fictional audience is emphasized through overhead shots of massive arena concerts, and made more personal by close-ups of the eclectic men, women, and children united through their commitment.—
Yvonne Kim,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The 12-piece line, featuring colorful plates, cups, candleholders, and a show-stopping spiral vase, reimagines classic Swedish holiday traditions with a fresh, joyful edge.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
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Her character also loved wearing colorful hues like orange, according to Mickens, this reflects her actual Caribbean heritage.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Traditional software is often cheaper, faster and more reliable when a solution is rules-based and needs fool-proof outputs.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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Here’s why the whole enterprise might be a fool’s errand.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The space complements the retailer’s unique assortment of apparel and accessories, which for the anniversary will be further enriched by a selection of Gigli’s archival pieces, in a nod to Zambeletti’s roots and homage to the designer that sparked her fashion journey.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
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Tucked away on the corner of Brookhurst Street and Bolsa Avenue, a colorful neon sign with an assortment of fruits decorates the window of an otherwise unassuming storefront display.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Demi Moore is one star who knows the power of a varied, aesthetic-spanning serve.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Colorado has the talent, depth and varied skillsets to build an elite power play.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Women in brightly colored dresses danced in shoes that loudly clicked across the floor.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Sep. 2025
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Across the valley sat a two-story barn where caramel-colored and chestnut-spotted horses plus a storybook white one were lined up along the wooden fence.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Nothing sends chills down your spine like evil clowns, undead monsters and a filthy car.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
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Someone should be impeaching this Laporta clown.—
Pol Ballus,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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Baker also leads the orchestra, which sounds grand — although the sound in the arts center’s Pugh Theater often left musicians, lead singers and chorus all at the same level, with actors speaking over all of it at the same time to create a sonic jumble.—
Matthew J. Palm,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motley. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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