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
The garment also includes hidden rivets, a single-needle arcuate, a single-sided Big E Red Tab, and the Two Horse leather patch. Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026 The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2026-65400, received a patch from Apple last week for macOS Tahoe, Sequoia, and Sonoma. Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
When everyone can see the vulnerabilities, more people race to patch them than exploit them. Will Oremus, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2026 Goodman, recognizing the rising anger, wanted to patch things up with the fanbase. Kyle MacNeill, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patch
Noun
  • Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The next morning, a galaxy of itchy red bumps and blotches stretched from my shoulder to my hip.
    Ben Crair, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • Hezlep House is on the market for a speck under $5 million with listing agent Nancy Valentine.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026
  • That’s way off in the distance, barely a speck on the horizon.
    Zach Przystup, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • LLMs can be quite adept at helping people figure out how to plan and carry out real-world tasks, such as fixing a plumbing leak, repairing a car, or learning a new hobby.
    Ian Bogost, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Another round of fighting or the election of a different American president will not repair the rupture.
    MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Smith is a high-end passer who finds a lot of O-zone seams and is also able to finish chances from the dots.
    Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The former pro athlete posted a family photo of himself, Panettiere and their daughter Kaya (whose face is censored by a bright orange dot) all smiles against a cloudy sky.
    Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Bits of pickled veg and infused butters come with the bread course, and the Parker House-like bread itself is multicolored thanks to leftover bits of beet and ramp and carrot.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes he can get pulled a little bit too far towards his near post with wide shots and open up space towards the back post.
    Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Nearby on Reisterstown Road, a camera at Neha Gupta's salon captured the bus smashing into her sign, and that damage has yet to be fixed.
    Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Other facility resources, including microwaves, have also been damaged, and can temporarily limit access to resources while they are fixed.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Little flecks of roasted sweet potato pepper the cake, and a tangy cream cheese glaze is a perfect complement to the warm spices and crunchy topping.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026
  • One image of her right knee showed flecks of blue plastic that prosecutors said came from an inflatable pool Burke used to collect blood while dismembering her body.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • Advanced reactor developers have adopted the technology for its ability to contain radioactive materials within each fuel particle.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
  • This code, developed at Switzerland’s University of Bern over two decades, is designed to simulate collisions between asteroids, comets and planets, and analyze the impact by looking at millions of individual particles involved in each scenario.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Patch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patch. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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