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
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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
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
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
Those make up a motley assortment, including Amazon user reviews, the publication BroadwayWorld, and the progressive site Daily Kos.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 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
Daisy, and a motley group of co-workers, toil in a cottage industry of agencies that evaluate harmful and offensive pictures and videos uploaded to social media.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
Those make up a motley assortment, including Amazon user reviews, the publication BroadwayWorld, and the progressive site Daily Kos.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 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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In an eclectic town in the heart of the Delta, one of the most distinctive homes in the Sacramento area is for sale for $2.4 million.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2025
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Daniel Glass Trio Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St., Fairfield The eclectic pop/jazz/funk/whatever trio led by drummer Daniel Glass and including guitarist Sean Harkness and bassist Michael O’Brien plays at Fairfield Theatre Company on June 20 at 8 p.m. $34, $31 FTC members.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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As the most colorful month of the year enters its third week, New York City continues to burst with opportunities to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture, creativity and resilience.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2025
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Aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, are colorful ribbons of light that weave across Earth's northern or southern polar regions, according to NASA.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
Noun
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Among the players connected to the disappearance are a wide and varied cast of Austin characters: an up-and-coming boxer who crossed the border from Mexico under strange circumstances, a rookie cop determined to crack the case, a grifter clown (figurative and literal).—
Lucas Schaefer
June 13,
Literary Hub,
13 June 2025
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As the animals fought, brass bands played and clowns entertained.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Naveena Denim Mills’ new Lume collection, featuring luxurious silk blends, is drawing interest from brands aiming to enhance their denim assortments with elevated comfort, eco-conscious materials, and refined aesthetics.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
18 June 2025
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Published on June 18, 2025 By Mark Ellwood From Napa Valley to Naples to near London, this week’s assortment from The Vault is a world-class, world-spanning collection.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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While a small group of technology stocks have mostly pushed the QQQ Nasdaq-100 ETF near an all-time high this year, analysts believe a more varied mix of stocks might do the heavy liting from here on out.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
17 June 2025
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Enjoy blackberries as part of a varied, balanced diet for the best results.—
Julie Marks,
Verywell Health,
17 June 2025
Noun
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Burgess and Shelby’s View Forecasting Trump’s decisions is always a fool’s errand, and his public statements on Wednesday only underscored his opaque approach.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
18 June 2025
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Still, only a fool would underestimate the strength of a mom’s love.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
13 June 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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Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The journal page is among the items in the exhibit, along with assorted mementos from throughout her career and childhood.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2025
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Guests dined on an array of appetizers, including coconut shrimp, spicy jerk chicken skewers, mini burgers and assorted cheeses.—
Tricia Despres,
People.com,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motley. Accessed 23 Jun. 2025.
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