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
Heck, just based on the law of averages, the Rays are due to hit a rough patch. John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026 Palo Alto Networks has released more than five times its usual number of patches in a recent update cycle, while Microsoft has indicated that patch volumes will continue growing. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
Verb
Luckily, Google researchers spotted the campaign and helped the vendor in question patch their software before anything could come of it. Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026 First, find all your ilmenite-rich regions (which are typically in lunar mare, the dark patches on the moon that signify frozen seas of ancient lava). Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for patch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patch
Noun
  • Soon, red blotches were sprouting on his skin.
    Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
  • That became a mere blotch on the ugly outing, as the error did not figure into any scoring when Brice Turang followed with a one-out double and Gary Sánchez with a two-out double.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • There are blue spots, specks, scratches, flares, and bits of crud in almost ALL of the Apollo photos.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 18 May 2026
  • As in Kourliandski’s quartet, specks and splatters of sound are interspersed with silences.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • That means repairing seawalls and bolstering shorelines, restoring wetlands, improving stormwater management and drainage, ensuring clean lakes, hardening infrastructure, and keeping homes and roadways out of the water.
    Anna V. Eskamani, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
  • In this case, Russia has been able to fill a major gap in its drone arsenal by recovering battle-damaged and captured Ukrainian Baba Yaga drones, quickly repairing them, and returning them to the battlefield.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • During an exam, Jaimes, also a dermatologist at Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, noticed a brown dot behind her patient’s ear that looked like a freckle.
    Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2026
  • The Golden Knights are great between the dots and, clearly, in between the Avs’ ears.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • Northwestern let a little bit of suspense creep in during the second half of its NCAA Tournament semifinal Friday evening at Martin Stadium.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
  • Leicester did their bit, eventually winning 2-1, but Everton were also leading 1-0 — until a fake rumour circulated inside the stadium that Bournemouth had levelled the scores.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 May 2026
Verb
  • The main instrument binnacle is fixed to the steering column and moves with it; it’s made up of two OLED displays sandwiched together, with the second one visible through circular cutouts to create dials.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026
  • And, unlike those alternatives, rates here are fixed and will hold through the account's maturity date.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Noun
  • All of the captive adults have been named after stars, because the white flecks on their black stomachs look like constellations in the night sky.
    Nathan Rott, NPR, 27 May 2026
  • The patient noted tiny gray flecks drifting across his field of vision a week ago.
    Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Noun
  • These devices are also only IP48-rated, which means fine particles could work their way inside and affect the hinge’s functionality, although the Razrs are just as water-resistant as traditional designs.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026
  • Scientists around the world have been working for decades on fusion, which requires overcoming particles’ natural repulsion to combining.
    Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 27 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Patch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patch. Accessed 29 May. 2026.

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