1
as in blotches
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
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2
as in specks
a very small piece
a patch of land hardly big enough for a garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in repairs
to put into good shape or working order again
patch the tire and it'll be as good as new
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of patches
Sofia Goldstein, SPIN, 2 June 2026
Draped over crisp salmon like in this rice bowl (mole instead of spicy mayo; radishes instead of cucs); this is a form of recipe development, sewing together patches into a colorful quilt.
—Emma Laperruque, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 June 2026
After debuting at Coachella as an off-grounds festival experience and content playground replete with a claw machine, balloon darts, mini burgers and colorful popsicles in promotion of the brand’s Spotwear pimple patches, Rhode World will travel throughout North America and Europe this summer.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Vogue, 1 June 2026
Tiny stuff, that no one except insiders would notice—shuttle cockpit switch positions, authentic uniform patches, terminology.
—Eric Berger & Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 31 May 2026
Occasional white patches flecked the landscape, alkali deposits where even prairie grass and scrub cottonwood refused to grow.
—Eric Moskowitz, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
Jumper cables, tire patches, and a spare ready to go.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
The Maybelline Grippy Serum Primer is a near perfect formula that blurs fine lines and texture while also hydrating dry patches for just $10.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 30 May 2026
That can mean fewer uneven patches and less checking during everyday use, helping save water and energy while the rest of the dinner is being prepared.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
There are also discounts on self care staples like these Medicube eye patches that de-puff, firm, and brighten tired under-eyes in a pinch.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Security patches fix vulnerabilities that scammers often target.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Moore is 72 now, with 22 years of Trail of Tears patches on his leather vest, confirming his journeys.
—Keith Sharon, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Flight controllers in Houston flipped their mission patches over to signify the return leg.
—Marcia Dunn, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2026
The spontaneity running through Da Realest patches over the mundane stretches.
—Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 23 Feb. 2026
The orchestra shifts seamlessly among movie-music impressionism, brief minimalist pulsings, patches that sound like updated Gilbert and Sullivan, and heart-on-sleeve surges of voices and orchestra worthy of Andrew Lloyd Webber.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
Estradiol patches replenish the body’s estrogen.
—Marina Kopf, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
Fans wear ruffled shirts, eye patches and other period costume elements at concerts, which are high-energy and theatrical and adorned with skulls and crossbones, tricorn hats, and anchors.
—Sofia Goldstein, SPIN, 2 June 2026
Draped over crisp salmon like in this rice bowl (mole instead of spicy mayo; radishes instead of cucs); this is a form of recipe development, sewing together patches into a colorful quilt.
—Emma Laperruque, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 June 2026
After debuting at Coachella as an off-grounds festival experience and content playground replete with a claw machine, balloon darts, mini burgers and colorful popsicles in promotion of the brand’s Spotwear pimple patches, Rhode World will travel throughout North America and Europe this summer.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Vogue, 1 June 2026
Tiny stuff, that no one except insiders would notice—shuttle cockpit switch positions, authentic uniform patches, terminology.
—Eric Berger & Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 31 May 2026
Occasional white patches flecked the landscape, alkali deposits where even prairie grass and scrub cottonwood refused to grow.
—Eric Moskowitz, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
Jumper cables, tire patches, and a spare ready to go.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
The Maybelline Grippy Serum Primer is a near perfect formula that blurs fine lines and texture while also hydrating dry patches for just $10.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 30 May 2026
That can mean fewer uneven patches and less checking during everyday use, helping save water and energy while the rest of the dinner is being prepared.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Verb
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
There are also discounts on self care staples like these Medicube eye patches that de-puff, firm, and brighten tired under-eyes in a pinch.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Security patches fix vulnerabilities that scammers often target.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Moore is 72 now, with 22 years of Trail of Tears patches on his leather vest, confirming his journeys.
—Keith Sharon, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Flight controllers in Houston flipped their mission patches over to signify the return leg.
—Marcia Dunn, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2026
The spontaneity running through Da Realest patches over the mundane stretches.
—Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 23 Feb. 2026
The orchestra shifts seamlessly among movie-music impressionism, brief minimalist pulsings, patches that sound like updated Gilbert and Sullivan, and heart-on-sleeve surges of voices and orchestra worthy of Andrew Lloyd Webber.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
Estradiol patches replenish the body’s estrogen.
—Marina Kopf, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patches
Noun
-
But skimping on the self-tanner can actually result in blotches and stripes.—
Deanna Pai,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
-
The sides may be mottled with brown blotches.—
Ken Perrotte,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Most astronomers now agree that each of these minuscule crimson specks—which bear a striking resemblance to enormous, faraway stars—actually has a burgeoning black hole at its center.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
27 May 2026
-
As in Kourliandski’s quartet, specks and splatters of sound are interspersed with silences.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The inquiry usually starts by reviewing the CC&Rs to determine if the document answers the question regarding who maintains it and who repairs it — and the two responsibilities might not be placed on the same party.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
-
Sleep is when the body repairs itself and the mind takes a brief vacation.—
Helen Dennis,
Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The light had a wintry grain, with flecks of color suspended in it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Vermiculite, a fine, puffed, gold flecks mica, which helps with drainage.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Now, though, scientists have discovered bits of tissue removed from a species of sea cucumber called Psolus fabricii can keep on living indefinitely if they’re left in ordinary seawater.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
-
Just non-stop dribbles, counter-attacks, through balls, amazing finishes… all of football’s good bits.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Beside her, the dog shakes itself, droplets flying from it, then fixes her with an appraising gaze.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
None of that fixes the problem, because the problem is architectural, not a question of capability.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Her oval nails are painted in a khaki base coat with big, blue, swirly dots.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
25 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
-
His viral load dropped from around 380,000 particles per milliliter of blood before the procedure to roughly 6,000 the next day.—
Elie Dolgin,
IEEE Spectrum,
4 June 2026
-
The burning of coal is one of the largest drivers of air pollution, releasing fine particles known to be harmful to respiratory and cardiovascular health.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patches. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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