Synonyms of patch

patch 1 of 2

noun

ˈpach 

1

as in blotch

a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part

a black cat with a small patch of white next to her nose

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blotch
• dot
• fleck
• speck
• spot
• stain
• splotch
• smudge
• speckle
• mottle
• pip
• eyespot
• dapple
• smear
• mole
• point
• splash
• freckle
• blob
• birthmark
• mark
• blot
• spatter
• polka dot
• smutch

2

as in speck

a very small piece

a patch of land hardly big enough for a garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

• speck
• bit
• fleck
• particle
• snippet
• grain
• scrap
• molecule
• shred
• crumb
• sliver
• granule
• mouthful
• atom
• lick
• mote
• fragment
• drop
• snip
• dribble
• nugget
• bite
• morsel
• portion
• section
• tittle
• trace
• flyspeck
• nubbin
• whisper
• dash
• scruple
• fraction
• pinch
• spot
• whit
• shard
• touch
• part
• nibble
• streak
• clipping
• dab
• taste
• ounce
• ace
• flake
• chip
• mite
• splinter
• nutshell
• halfpenny
• suspicion
• strain
• jot
• iota
• modicum
• smidgen
• minim
• tidbit
• shaving
• kenning
• smatter
• ha'penny
• paring
• driblet
• shiver
• haet
• smithereens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slab
• chunk
• lump
• quantity
• volume
• mountain
• stack
• pile
• deal
• pot
• mass
• bucket
• hunk
• loads
• raft
• barrel
• gob
• abundance
• bushel
• wealth
• profusion
• heaps
• wad
• peck
• scads

patch

2 of 2

verb

as in to repair

to put into good shape or working order again

patch the tire and it'll be as good as new

Synonyms & Similar Words

• repair
• fix
• rebuild
• reconstruct
• overhaul
• restore
• renovate
• revamp
• adjust
• modify
• doctor
• mend
• recondition
• refresh
• condition
• renew
• maintain
• fix up
• prepare
• help
• improve
• aid
• regenerate
• refurbish
• cure
• heal
• ready
• service
• right
• revive
• furbish
• correct
• redress
• rectify
• care (for)
• revitalize
• better
• freshen
• reform
• ameliorate
• rejuvenate
• enhance
• refreshen
• enrich
• meliorate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flaw
• break
• hurt
• damage
• ruin
• harm
• injure
• wreck
• impair
• spoil
• mar
• deface
• blemish
• disfigure
• disable
• mutilate
• vandalize
• cripple
• mangle
• maim

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

Recent Examples of patch

Noun

Expect more security patches to appear in future Windows updates as Microsoft harnesses AI to speed up the discovery of software bugs in the OS. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026

The now-bankrupt Aspiration served as the team’s jersey-patch partner until the end of the 2022-23 season. — Law Murray, New York Times, 9 July 2026

Verb

With their season teetering toward the abyss, the New York Mets will recall left-hander Zach Thornton from Triple A on Thursday, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation, in the Mets’ latest attempt to patch a struggling rotation. — Will Sammon, New York Times, 25 June 2026

Because the virtual machine testbed is fully patched, none of the exploit attacks succeeded. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 25 June 2026

Phrases Containing patch

• patch (together)