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
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Investigators soon determined, and so did the courts, that a motley group of arsonists had intentionally torched the factory, seemingly for the insurance money.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 2 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
Pregnant right whales migrate southward in the Atlantic Ocean to the waters off the Florida and Georgia coasts each winter to give birth, often loosely accompanied by a motley assortment that includes adult males and females as well as juveniles.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Investigators soon determined, and so did the courts, that a motley group of arsonists had intentionally torched the factory, seemingly for the insurance money.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 2 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
-
Here is a selection of highlights to show the eclectic range of work.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
The eclectic Colts owner also played in his eponymous band, often playing at events showcasing items from his collection.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
Bosa, Sardinia, Italy Renowned for its colorful houses and the medieval Malaspina Castle, Bosa is situated about two-thirds of the way up the west coast of Sardinia, on a small hill about 3km inland on the north bank of the Temo River.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
-
In the center of the colorful drink is a butterfly pea blossom ice sphere topped with gold luster dust.—
Natalia Senanayake,
People.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Elves, insectoids, reptilians, aliens, gods, and clowns are all common.—
Andy Greenberg,
Wired News,
22 May 2025
-
Fans can also look forward to performances by the iconic Silver Spurs Quadrille, the adorable antics of kids competing in Mutton Bustin’, and plenty of laughs courtesy of the ever-entertaining rodeo clowns.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
And yet, even with all of the traditional evening wear in the mix, this year’s assortment of fashions still felt entirely modern—and at times, quite unexpected too.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
25 May 2025
-
This process involves selecting a base hat and embellishing it with various elements like faux flowers, crinoline, and an assortment of feathers, resulting in an elaborate and unique creation perfect for prestigious occasions.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Nike’s rollout of Air Max 95 OG Big Bubble colorways has been varied.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
24 May 2025
-
Gable Kahn masterfully tackles the constant and varied misogyny women face in society head-on, while also portraying a real, beautifully flawed MC.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
These could be people that play Devil’s advocate or, like Shakespeare’s fools, challenge ideas and thinking.—
George Bradt,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
-
Flecks of mica and pyrite and who knows what, but only fools and greenhorns mistake it for gold.—
John Archibald,
Southern Living,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 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
Adjective
-
Memorial Day was something of a deadline to my mother, grandmother and assorted relatives to complete one last grand cleaning campaign before the heat arrived and leaving for the beach.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
24 May 2025
-
On top of this, the House Ways and Means Committee has thrown a potpourri of assorted other tax cuts: through 2028, for instance, tips, overtime income, and car loan interests would be tax-free, and senior citizens would get bigger standard deductions.—
Dylan Matthews,
Vox,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motley. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share