Definition of patchnext

patch

2 of 2

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
And since the war in Gaza began three years ago, flags, pins, necklace pendants, military uniform patches, and bumper stickers bearing the image of a Third Temple have proliferated in Israeli public spaces. — Ilan Ben Zion, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026 Pimple patches containing a gel called hydrocolloid can absorb fluids from oozing pimples and stop you from picking at them. — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
That’s bad enough, but the agent also launched with a zero-day vulnerability that, luckily, has been patched. — Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026 In many cases, a strategic repair like patching drywall or replacing a broken appliance can deliver a faster return on an investment than an all-new kitchen or bathroom remodel. — Alex Vasquez, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patch
Noun
  • Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark facial bands and gray or tan body patterned with black or brown blotches.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Every belt buckle looks freshly yanked off the rack; every speck of signage resembles something painted 45 minutes before filming commenced that day.
    — Michael Phillips, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The period is 2006, when the golden age of streamable content is barely a speck on the media horizon.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Voters approved $250 million in bonds in 2018 to help build and repair affordable housing, followed by another $350 million in 2022.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The state is pre-positioning more than 4 million sandbags, more than 50,000 feet of portable flood barriers and 400,000 tons of rock to repair levees.
    — Adrian Florido, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Venus and Mercury also make several appearances as large, bright white dots crossing from either side.
    — Damien Pine, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Newspapers and books also joined the dots between apparently disconnected events and items of gossip, helping readers to see their problems in abstract, systemic and political terms.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Rooms decor is sophisticated, and not in the slightest bit stuffy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • There was the title, an obvious nod to the first Zuckerberg film, and ads used bits of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ score.
    — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The reality is that organizing alone can’t fix a system stacked against us.
    — Liz Shuler, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Gass said the company acted fast to fix this by putting more inventory behind popular trends such as low-rise jeans, stepping up marketing to boost customer traffic and improving store and digital checkout rates.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • As few as 10 cells, hidden in an infinitesimal fleck of feces, can contaminate raw milk and trigger a fatal infection.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The oversized jacket featured a furry white base adorned with flecks of silver, which beautifully mirrored the sumptuous coats on the runway.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Highly energetic particles in the solar wind may also have reached the comet in sufficient numbers to heat its surface.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Avoid this by not touching the rash and keeping it covered, as the fluid inside the shingles blisters is what contains the infectious particles.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 13 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Patch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patch. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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