patch 1 of 2

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
Visible patches in strange colors or textures One of the clearest signs of mold is visible growth on walls, ceilings or other surfaces. Ryan Brennan may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026 Instead, they are bundled into a single patch. Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026
Verb
The matchup against Embiid exposed a roster hole the Celtics had successfully patched for most of the regular season. Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026 Luckily, a duck hunter happened upon it, and repair crews patched it that night. John Ryan, NPR, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for patch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patch
Noun
  • These grow to form blotches that have lighter and darker zones appearing as irregular concentric rings that grow throughout the season until the entire leaf turns black and dies.
    Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
  • This was a black one with blotches faintly outlined in pale yellow, a beautiful but deadly looking animal.
    Dr. C. E. Kuschel, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The reward for doing business without a speck of conscience is potentially billions.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 10 May 2026
  • All morning extra-sized barges loaded up passengers from the Giardini, scooted around the Arsenale, past the famous glass-blowing island of Murano, and then approached the Island of San Giacomo—a tiny speck on a map, but quite formidable in person.
    Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Curry played in five games after surgery to repair a broken second metacarpal.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 10 May 2026
  • Perhaps repair some divots on a court that took a beating Saturday night.
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • Toews’ deflection bounced high from the left face-off dot toward Wedgewood’s net — but before the goalie could control the rebound, Hartman swatted it like a pickleball volley in mid-air and past the Colorado goaltender for a 3-0 Minnesota lead.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 May 2026
  • If the figs aren’t perfectly ripe, sprinkle them with brown sugar and a dot of butter to help them along.
    Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • The Iowa State product looks every bit of a near 6-foot-9 measurement, and started at right tackle for rookie units in 11-on-11 team periods.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 May 2026
  • In the end, Wave FC (6-3, 18 points) just had a little bit more firepower to sink Angel City FC (3-4, nine points) to a fourth consecutive loss.
    Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Broadway producers also caught on to Bradley’s abilities, and hired him to fix dud numbers and even whole shows.
    Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
  • That said, home equity loan interest rates are fixed and won't change even if the rate climate does, which could be favorable for those concerned about borrowing against their home equity (the home functions as collateral).
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Powerful new lasers and x-rays are enabling geologists like Korolev, a researcher at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City, to probe increasingly small flecks of minerals in deep diamonds.
    James Dinneen, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
  • Our recipe studs egg filling with flecks of green onions, bacon, and a generous helping of Swiss cheese.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 5 May 2026
Noun
  • What this revealed was that atomic nuclei heavier than the atomic nucleus of iron lost energy much more slowly than lighter particles.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 May 2026
  • This setup would let researchers detect minute differences in the isotopes’ energy levels by examining nuances in the magnetic field created by each particle’s spinning nucleus, called the nuclear magnetic moment.
    K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Patch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patch. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

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