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
But everyone will immediately notice all those new jersey patches for Notre Dame, Ohio State, LSU, Wisconsin and many more, especially when the Buckeyes are bringing in $17 million for theirs and the Irish are loudly earning up to $20 million. Jason Kirk, New York Times, 31 July 2026 While Curiosity has seen small patches of these shapes before, this is the largest area ever found. Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Verb
There have been outward signs of Microsoft’s internal struggle to deal with the growing list of bugs to be patched. Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 29 July 2026 If a group plan feels tense, don’t patch it with clever wording alone. Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for patch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patch
Noun
  • 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
  • Verticillium wilt causes similar blotches and yellowing.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • By Pond Farm is now asking a speck under $4 million with Turpin Realtors/Forbes Global Properties.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 July 2026
  • Rather than waiting several years to look at the object through the VLT once more, Sutlieff, Bonse and their colleagues dove into older, archival imagery of the star system, looking for signs of their speck.
    Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 July 2026
Verb
  • Elsewhere during the trip, Steven and Kacie finally repaired their strained relationship after months of tension.
    Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
  • High-performer burnout is only repaired by an honest audit and strategic reallocation of energy to the tasks that matter most.
    Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Two Plössl eyepieces provided different magnifications, and there was also a red-dot finderscope and a manual equatorial mount with slow-motion cables.
    Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Typically, these dots are used in advanced solar cells, bio-imaging, and ultra-high-definition displays.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • And in April 2026 a researcher chasing Project Eleven's Q-Day Prize broke a 15-bit key on real quantum hardware.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • This light, summery soup is filled with fresh sweet corn and zucchini, and topped with savory bacon bits.
    Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Londoner, then age 34, was desperate to fix her anorexia nervosa, even as the disease consumed her.
    Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Beside me in the rickety wooden seating, filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun is also chafing at the lack of chaos, their gentle blue eyes fixed ahead.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • Someone unfamiliar with salt bread might even suspect a major baking error, seeing a questionably smooth croissant that entirely missed the lamination process, adorned with only a few flecks of salt acting as its saving grace.
    Candy Hom, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
Noun
  • On weekdays, particles of air pollution from workplaces and commuter vehicles may help to form more clouds that produce storms.
    Damien Pine, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Many miners interviewed by NPR complained that masks impair communication in a dangerous and noisy environment, become clogged with dust, are too hot to work in, and fail to screen out finer particles.
    Howard Berkes, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Patch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patch. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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