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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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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
Things are getting serious for our motley investigative crew. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 8 July 2026 Hunt teams up with a motley group of mercenaries to traverse the cosmos while hoping to revitalize the Commonwealth and restore peace. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 June 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
  • Other eclectic lots under a grand are also up for grabs, including 12 prop food pieces from the Pee-wee Playhouse refrigerator.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Its eclectic programming includes large retrospectives, international conferences and as well as exhibitions, exploring the work and careers of filmmakers such as Bela Tarr, Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Alex van Warmerdam among many others.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of eclectic
Adjective
  • This year’s outdoor fall decor runs the gamut from classic pumpkins and colorful wreaths to lanterns, doormats and pieces that lean more neutral than traditional orange and black.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Florida has a colorful history as a haven for smugglers and scammers.
    — Mike Ryan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of colorful
Noun
  • Judge Judy star Judith Sheindlin famously does not suffer fools.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026
  • An oxpecker in dark plumage and a bright orange bill perched on the crown of the rhino’s head like the king’s fool.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • Senior quarterback Wyatt Tewell has completed 74 of 105 pass attempts for 1,049 yards and 13 TDs with just one interception, connecting with an assortment of receivers.
    — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • And because this marks the brand’s 25th anniversary, Peter Millar also created a sophisticated, luxury assortment to celebrate, which will also make its appearance in the marketing materials.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of assortment
Adjective
  • The brewery offers a varied selection of styles brewed in-house from IPAs to sours to dark brews to light sippers.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Because the policy measures were varied across combinations, the same option appeared for different respondents alongside many combinations of other policies.
    — Fengxiu Zhang, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of varied
Adjective
  • The viewpoint looks across Windermere and was once fitted with colored glass designed to make the scenery appear as though it were being viewed in different seasons.
    — Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Mailaender used different types of mirrors, geometric wall patterns, colored cork and linoleum, wavy steel and deliberately 1980s-style locker-room doors.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of colored
Noun
  • What followed were Zoom-inclusive mediation meetings, the revelation of tens of thousands of dollars of debt, and something about clown school.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Twisty the clown crept around, Rubber Man made a second appearance, and black dahlias festooned every table.
    — Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, 24 Sep. 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 Oct. 2026.

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