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
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
Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025
Stylistically, the book becomes a motley, contaminated thing, a mix of Crews’s many modes—chatty, terse, demotic, detached, priapic, noirish, gnomic.
—Charlie Lee, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 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
For Queen, that was during the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32, his fiery Maryland team against a motley Colorado State crew dripping with Cinderella potential.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025
Stylistically, the book becomes a motley, contaminated thing, a mix of Crews’s many modes—chatty, terse, demotic, detached, priapic, noirish, gnomic.
—Charlie Lee, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 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
-
Objects on Main is your go-to shop for eclectic home décor, art, furniture, apparel, and more.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Flynn highlights the eclectic and collected vibes trending now since the 70s was all about mixing patterns and global influences.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Where that show’s boss (played by Steve Carell) was a bit of an inappropriate fool, Gleeson’s character is more idealistic.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
-
These jokers in Indianapolis acting the fool.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
An assortment of beautiful jars and candies and macaroons and other sweets with cute baskets and take-away gifts was the way to go.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Alessandro Michele debuted Valentino’s resort 2026 collection as an assortment of dreamscape portraits featuring models playing guitar, applying makeup or asleep in bed.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Her challenge is now finding the best route to market for titles as varied as Doctor Who, Bluey and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, while launching new titles at markets such as MIPCOM and BBC Studios Showcase.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Overall, Christopher hypothesizes that the difference in outcomes varied because more active athletes stayed stronger than those who had to — or chose to — decrease their activity.—
Starre Vartan,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The sale features the cream option for light-colored style combinations or a pop of contrast with darker clothes.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
-
During their first night out together, the couple ducks into a Spanish nightclub, drinking under a smear of colored lights and then dancing.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The sheriff threatens to arrest Morticia on account of aiding and abetting a murderer, but Gomez points out that these clowns (the cops) abandoned Nevermore to protect Normies at Pilgrim World.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
-
While the film wasn't a hit with critics or audiences, Gaga nonetheless had some eye-popping looks on the press tour, sporting bold red hair and clown-like attire to evoke the comic chaos of her character.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share