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
If your skin is especially reactive, patch-testing a new sunscreen before applying it to your entire face is always a good idea. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Oct. 2026 Pictures can be added to a growing digital pumpkin patch on social media using #FindYourPark or #EncuentraTuParque. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
Jan Menapace had hired Neverless Construction to patch a leak and repair water damage in her kitchen during last week’s storms in Southern California. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 For example, rather than presenting viewers with alternating volleys of 30-second pitches, the network has kept the pacing lively by patching in creative of varying lengths throughout the night. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patch
Noun
  • Doctors detected abnormal breath sounds, and a scan revealed a round blotch in his right lung—a sign of blood, pus, fluid or tissue—but tests for common pathogens came back negative.
    — Rachel Melegrito, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • Chips could be destroyed by even a speck of dust, so factories became impregnable clean rooms, their workers clad in bunny suits.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The source was generally in good condition, but mold spots and dense clusters of small white specks required careful treatment.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The California Department of Transportation has also secured millions of dollars in emergency funds to repair a massive crack that developed during early-October high tides on a slope below Pacific Coast Highway near Laguna Beach.
    — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Kleeb said the decision to back Osborn is part of a long-term goal, which includes repairing the damage to the Democratic brand in a redder state like Nebraska.
    — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Finally, grab 25% off the Logitech G316 X 98 Gaming Keyboard, providing hot-swappable mechanical switches and a playful dot-matrix LED display.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Teachers wanted new leadership and the sticker — a red dot — served as a collective reminder to go vote against the incumbent, Buchanan said.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Topped with cream cheese frosting, toffee, and almond candy bits, this scrumptious pumpkin spice cake will be a winner at your next fall party.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Adding the 11-tap receiver equalizer increased the rate to 200 Gb/s, with the modulator consuming 63 fJ per bit.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • That is, using AI to fix problems and do work that slows and impedes the creative process.
    — Mark Schilling, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026
  • But fixing this issue is wholly within the power of Gulf states, and the Salalah effort demonstrates there is some interest in doing so.
    — ALLISON MINOR, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In addition, since all this debris is moving at orbital velocity, a fleck of paint traveling in the opposite direction to an operational satellite can hit it at a speed in excess of Mach 47.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • The pre-filter slides out for easy upkeep, and a particle sensor provides accurate readouts of airborne particulate matter (a standard metric for measuring air quality).
    — Editors of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
  • So the scattering of the particles has a strong dependence on the substrate.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Patch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patch. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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