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
Relevance
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
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 patches
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
Many Americans came to depend on the subsidies, which were simply patches over the gaps in a health care system that may feel duct-taped together, and not really working for patients, providers or insurers.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Coyotes make homes in tiny green spaces across cities like small patches of forest, golf courses or cemeteries.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 17 Feb. 2026
And collagen patches are the latest iteration of that.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2026
The Rhode Beauty founder embraced her trademark clean beauty aesthetic, going makeup-free and adding some extra hydration with her company’s eye patches.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
The concierge can also help with setting up activities like dog sledding, fishing, whale-watching, and fishing (or even just recommend hiking trails to blueberry patches on the property).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Illinois needs a comprehensive restructuring of its dysfunctional property tax system, not more piecemeal patches.
—Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
But what’s really interesting are the inland patches of dark purple in Aliso Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Coto de Caza, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Anaheim Hills, the area near CSU Fullerton.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
There's a massive shortage of estogren patches A shortage in estrogen patches — due to manufacturing issues and some brand discontinuation — has been exacerbated by an increase in prescriptions for estrogen since the Food and Drug Administration removed its black box warning label last fall.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Estradiol patches replenish the body’s estrogen.
—Marina Kopf, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
For both genders, the leather patches on the back of the jeans can be customized, a service the company also offers for its boots and hats.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026
Eye patches the day of are a must.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
Video of the encounter shows Lee at the front of the crowd when officers with Illinois State Police patches on their sleeves pushed in an apparent attempt to clear them from a paved area, and some demonstrators tried to hold their ground.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Use mobile device management (MDM) tools to push updates remotely or require users to install OS updates and patches promptly.
—Mike Rosen, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
New from the ground up, with hybrid power and the promise of serious off-road capability, the 2026 Cherokee midsize SUV patches a gaping hole in the brand’s lineup.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
Intended as a complete coating, the layers usually fragment into inhomogeneous patches during electrode processing, thereby affecting battery performance.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
Many Americans came to depend on the subsidies, which were simply patches over the gaps in a health care system that may feel duct-taped together, and not really working for patients, providers or insurers.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Coyotes make homes in tiny green spaces across cities like small patches of forest, golf courses or cemeteries.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 17 Feb. 2026
And collagen patches are the latest iteration of that.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2026
The Rhode Beauty founder embraced her trademark clean beauty aesthetic, going makeup-free and adding some extra hydration with her company’s eye patches.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
The concierge can also help with setting up activities like dog sledding, fishing, whale-watching, and fishing (or even just recommend hiking trails to blueberry patches on the property).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Illinois needs a comprehensive restructuring of its dysfunctional property tax system, not more piecemeal patches.
—Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
But what’s really interesting are the inland patches of dark purple in Aliso Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Coto de Caza, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Anaheim Hills, the area near CSU Fullerton.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
There's a massive shortage of estogren patches A shortage in estrogen patches — due to manufacturing issues and some brand discontinuation — has been exacerbated by an increase in prescriptions for estrogen since the Food and Drug Administration removed its black box warning label last fall.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Estradiol patches replenish the body’s estrogen.
—Marina Kopf, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
For both genders, the leather patches on the back of the jeans can be customized, a service the company also offers for its boots and hats.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026
Eye patches the day of are a must.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
Video of the encounter shows Lee at the front of the crowd when officers with Illinois State Police patches on their sleeves pushed in an apparent attempt to clear them from a paved area, and some demonstrators tried to hold their ground.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Use mobile device management (MDM) tools to push updates remotely or require users to install OS updates and patches promptly.
—Mike Rosen, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
New from the ground up, with hybrid power and the promise of serious off-road capability, the 2026 Cherokee midsize SUV patches a gaping hole in the brand’s lineup.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patches
Noun
-
Its purple black center was surrounded by blotches of varying shades and textures, raised or sunken at places.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
-
These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot.—
Brian Bell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Tiny beads of blood had seeped out and dried into tiny specks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Also known as sunspots, solar lentigines, or liver spots, age spots are additional specks and bits of pigment caused by excessive sun exposure.—
Essence,
Essence,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, researchers at Texas A&M University created a dynamic material that repairs itself after being punctured by shifting from a solid to a liquid state and back again.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
-
After a rinse-off mask and a day and night serum (which won a PEOPLE beauty award in 2025) it's added a balm which repairs split ends by relinking broken bonds for visibly healthier hair.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That, plus distinct green (herbs) and black (pepper) flecks, made this contender feel higher-end, inspiring us to declare Trader Joe’s the best ranch dressing overall.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 Feb. 2026
-
As Dracula, Jones is giddy and joyous with flecks of depravity bursting through as the plot expands to include his ethereal bond with Harker’s fiancée, Mina Murray (also Bleu).—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Offered in different flavors, the Strawberry Granola Bites feature a burst of fruity goodness, while the Chocolate Chip Granola Bites combine bits of sweetness with a wholesome mix of oats.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The cookie crumble bits are perfect.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Swapping the wires usually fixes the problem.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
-
If your cap looks off-kilter, seat it properly and test to see if that fixes the problem.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Multicolor microstones, iridescent dots, and sparkle clusters are scattered over a sheer, neutral base for an effect that feels fun and celebratory, but not busy.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The West Saguaro National Park, Arizona Stargazers can snag multiple planetary views from Saguaro National Park, with the sky dots visible above the distant Tucson peaks.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These particles are covered with tiny chain-like structures that interact with metal ions in solution.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Existing particles will now obey new laws of physics, and so existing structures will be destroyed and replaced by new structures that obey different laws.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patches. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
