patch 1 of 2

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
In the first song, JJ dresses up as a puppy and joins his family on a visit to the pumpkin patch. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 31 Oct. 2025 At the same time, Stella also got bullied for her seborrheic dermatitis, a different inflammatory skin condition that cropped up on her scalp and created visible patches of flaky skin. Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
These updates essentially allow car brands to patch software bugs and upgrade vehicles remotely, nipping issues in the bud and improving vehicles without the help of a licensed technician. Charles Singh, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025 Chapters on finding employment lawyers, securing health care, minimizing expenses, and locating hole-patching income sources alternate with stories of high-profile women who lost their jobs, including Lisa Kudrow, Katie Couric, and Oprah. Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for patch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patch
Noun
  • Photos show the Maratus australis spider, which has an intricate pattern of blue and brown blotches edged with bright teal and red-orange stripes.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The one blemish — or ugly blotch — was that crushing 7-2 Champions League defeat against Paris Saint-Germain last week.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • These black specks show up each autumn, congregating on my screens and windowsill, and complicating my desire to open the window on a pleasant day.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The vacuum is dedicated to getting even the tiniest specks of dirt, circling back two or three times until the area is spotless.
    Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In June, the Swain contingent provided Ronin the funding to buy a company that repairs and overhauls systems for commercial aircraft.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025
  • In addition, Keegan Murray is still sidelined after undergoing surgery to repair an ulnar collateral ligament tear in his left thumb.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • With the Wild getting dominated in the dot in Thursday’s loss, Hynes elected to put Ben Jones in there to center the fourth line.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Over 200 dot the country’s Alpine landscape, from no-frills bivouac shelters to sleek, sci-fi-looking lodges.
    Lucy Kehoe, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Another Halloween fanatic, Janelle Monáe fully committed to the bit by dressing as the Cat in the Hat for her Jennifer Hudson Spirit Tunnel walk.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Use a mulching mower to chop the leaves into tiny bits that can be left on the lawn to nourish the soil.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The White House pushed back against that characterization and argued the administration only aims to fix the years of politically motivated enforcement that occurred under Democrats and their holdovers.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
  • For example, the tests measure AI’s ability to fix inconsistencies in customer invoices Excel spreadsheets for an imaginary sales analyst role, or AI’s ability to create a full production schedule for a 60-second video shoot for an imaginary video producer.
    Jared Perlo, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Nice vanilla bean flecks and round, fatty flavor with only the subtlest hint of coconut.
    Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Oct. 2025
  • And Abrams-Draine still managed to emerge with just a few flecks of soot after getting thrown in the fire last season, picking off Justin Herbert in a loss to the Chargers and establishing himself as a building block in a spot start.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The inspector found particle growth on the ice guard of the ice maker, dirty walls and floors in the two walk-in freezers and insufficient hot water at the hand sink and three-compartment sink.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Start the process by vigorously shaking or hanging then pounding the rug to remove loose dirt, crumbs, and other particles, then vacuum it thoroughly on both sides, using a canister vacuum with the hose or a high pile setting—and no beater bar!
    Jennifer Beck Goldblatt, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Patch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patch. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on patch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!