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
Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 8 Jan. 2026
This year's cast also features a handful of other reality luminaries — Dancing With the Stars' Mark Ballas and Top Chef's Kristen Kish — and a motley assortment of actors (Stephen Colletti, Michael Rapaport), Olympic figure skaters (Johnny Weir, Tara Lipinski), and drag queens (Monét X Change).
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
This made us—with all our human, mortal limitations—rather like the God of all those past centuries of belief, or should that be credulity: the God who retained and stored away everything in his motley, moveless time, in which nothing was new or old, remote or recent.
—Margaret Jull Costa, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for motley
Adjective
But much of the Coast Guard’s success is due to sage leadership and guidance from a motley set of talented back-room managers.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 8 Jan. 2026
This year's cast also features a handful of other reality luminaries — Dancing With the Stars' Mark Ballas and Top Chef's Kristen Kish — and a motley assortment of actors (Stephen Colletti, Michael Rapaport), Olympic figure skaters (Johnny Weir, Tara Lipinski), and drag queens (Monét X Change).
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
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
This made us—with all our human, mortal limitations—rather like the God of all those past centuries of belief, or should that be credulity: the God who retained and stored away everything in his motley, moveless time, in which nothing was new or old, remote or recent.
—Margaret Jull Costa, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for motley
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motley
Adjective
-
The Pacers opened with the eclectic starting lineup of Andrew Nembhard, Quenton Jackson, Ethan Thompson, Jalen Slawson and Pascal Siakam.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Taking a leaf from its 40-year SXSW parent event in Austin, the UK spin-off unveiled an eclectic conference program and speakers list on Friday, bringing together big names from the worlds of film, TV, tech, the creator economy, music and sport.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Her lab is pioneering colorful interactive models developed with an advanced MRI scan and other data from each patient.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
There’s no such thing as having too many journals, so a personalized journal, along with a colorful new pen or two, would be perfect for creative types.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Any one of 162 games is less a sample size than a glance, and fool’s gold is ever present.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Don’t let the recent rain fool you.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This assortment also includes a large selection of earrings, bracelets, anklets, rings, hair tie sets, keychains and more.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The first release of an eight-album series in which American composer and pianist Michael Harrison collaborates with a global assortment of artists combining Eastern and Western musical traditions.—
Arts Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Another ancient tradition is the extensive prayers of the faithful, interspersed with genuflections, which today include intentions as varied as praying for the pope, for the Jewish people, and for those who do not believe in God.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The neighborhood/area The hotel sits in the North Loop area of Minneapolis, blocks away from the iconic Hennepin Street Bridge with easy access to the riverfront parks along the Mississippi, with their great cycling and walking trails and varied perspectives on the city.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Relieved of their blindfolds, the men now wore heavy rucksacks filled with colored rocks representing their anger (red), guilt and shame (black), and sadness (blue).—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The woman saw a dark-colored sedan pull away from the scene.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Three years have passed since the stadium-sized clown show of the duo’s last record, 10,000 gecs, and Brady’s been feverishly cooking up unlikely collaborations and solo material.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
27 Mar. 2026
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Christopher Kosakowski, United States, 2025 A circus clown celebrating his birthday alone receives a mysterious gift box harboring an antique zoetrope that spins his world into mayhem.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Motley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motley. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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