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

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
  • Film Festival kicks off its 67th edition this week with an eclectic lineup of festival favorites, Oscar hopefuls and homegrown films that showcase the range and dynamism of the Greek industry.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Acts like Karina Vélez, Elia, DEL TORO, Giny, and LaDí have impressed fans with an eclectic output — from bubblegum to dream-pop and everything in between.
    — Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of eclectic
Adjective
  • The naming convention reflects the Evans family's enduring optimism about Africa and their commitment to celebrating its colorful heritage.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • So the replies to my comment brought that resentment to the surface, and many replies called the organizer a grifter, a con-artist, and many much more colorful words.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of colorful
Noun
  • From the opening, we are meant to wonder if Morris is a fool, besotted with this older, somewhat odd, controlling woman that no one in the family likes.
    — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
  • So to expect something dramatically different to immediately be forthcoming less than 10 games in largely would stand as a fool’s errand.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • Outside the building were an assortment of generators, cables and Starlink dishes.
    — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
  • That includes things like better marketing and potential resets to the product assortment.
    — Jeff Marks,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of assortment
Adjective
  • California has a rich and varied history — and San Jose is the oldest civilian community in the state.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Teghaza 001 instead preserves a more varied record of ancient crust formation.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of varied
Adjective
  • The nearly 10-foot-tall image of Jesus suspended from the cross was shattered into hundreds of colored pieces, which scattered on the ground inside as well as outside the building.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Black cat bias is a very real phenomenon where cats with black coats are viewed more negatively, adopted less often, and euthanized more than lighter colored cats, according to the American Animal Hospital Association.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of colored
Noun
  • Two clowns in serious legal trouble colluded to put the entire planet in an economic crisis.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The procession will also welcome 52 floats, 31 clown crews, nine specialty units (such as trycaloons, or balloons ridden on tricycles), seven marching bands, and five balloonicles (that’s a balloon-vehicle hybrid).
    — Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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