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patch

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb patch contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of patch are mend, rebuild, and repair. While all these words mean "to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective," patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

When can mend be used instead of patch?

While the synonyms mend and patch are close in meaning, mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

When is it sensible to use rebuild instead of patch?

The words rebuild and patch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

When would repair be a good substitute for patch?

The meanings of repair and patch largely overlap; however, repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

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 patch
Noun
Israel’s offensives displaced most of Gaza’s population, forcing more than two million people to run for safety to the shifting patches of land the Israeli military described as humanitarian zones. Kara Fox, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025 Complete the autumnal theme with scents that transport you to the pumpkin patch, the forest, and even a backyard bonfire with oakwood and spiced notes like allspice and chestnut. Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
The vulnerability impacted a tiny percentage of users, and Eufy patched the problem before hackers could exploit it. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2025 But the numbers don’t lie, and the Bengals are still trying to patch their leaks. Dianna Russini, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for patch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patch
Noun
  • Dark brown blotches of varying sizes dot their sides and back.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
  • This fungal disease appears as gray blotches on the bark, eventually developing into sunken cankers.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The tiny black specks of vanilla pack a surprisingly aromatic punch.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The room is shadowy but lively, with the sense that there are things going on in every speck of the frame.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Now working for United Airlines as an avionics technician at Newark Liberty International Airport, repairing plane engines and electrical systems, the 25-year-old has already doubled her investment in the program and makes over six-figures.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The Wisconsin native was charged with repairing bridges within the department, campus and community that Addazio had neglected or damaged.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Gabe Landeskog beat Casey Mittelstadt cleanly in the right faceoff dot and Josh Manson scored on a slapper from the blue line.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The latter has been such a consistent issue under Napier that UF got a kindergartenesque chart where players stand on one of 11 dots before trotting onto the field.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In retirement, Paulsen does a little bit of everything.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • While speaking with James Austin Johnson at 'Rolling Stone's' Musicians on Musicians event, Role Model revealed the interesting bit of 'Sally' lore.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These defendants, which include former professional athletes, used high-tech cheating technology to steal millions of dollars from victims in underground poker games that were secretly fixed.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • That’s a way of fixing those problems!
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The light brown hair, worn in an all-purpose crop, bears flecks of gray.
    Nathan Heller, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Yes, these flecks are seeds that were once inside of a vanilla bean, confirms Britton.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The relation is derived partially from the principles of quantum chromodynamics, or QCD, which is the theory of how the strong force binds particles called quarks to form particles such as neutrons.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
  • As the Universe expands, the volume increases, while the particle masses and the total number of particles remain the same.
    Big Think, Big Think, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Patch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patch. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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