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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of patches
Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Even the town’s marshal and fire crews have comic-book-style dinosaur drawings on their patches.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Floating garbage patches get headlines.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
Phone manufacturers such as Samsung, Motorola and OnePlus often test the patches before releasing them for specific models.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Most of them are nicotine replacement products, such as gums, lozenges and patches.
—Will Stone, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
Because chaplains may be the only clergy available in combat zones or remote postings, their insignia — patches and small metal pins worn on their uniforms — function as a quick signal of religious identity.
—Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Manufacturers of estradiol patches have struggled to keep pace, creating supply disruptions at pharmacies across the country.
—Kristine Lazar, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
The formula is petroleum-free and powered by ultra-refined lanolin (an ingredient that mimic the skin’s own lipids) that helps replenish the barrier, soften rough patches, and restore suppleness.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
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
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
Noun
At the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, visitors can find large patches of California poppies, goldfields and other wildflowers, according to state park interpreter Lori Wear.
—Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Even the town’s marshal and fire crews have comic-book-style dinosaur drawings on their patches.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Floating garbage patches get headlines.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
Phone manufacturers such as Samsung, Motorola and OnePlus often test the patches before releasing them for specific models.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Most of them are nicotine replacement products, such as gums, lozenges and patches.
—Will Stone, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
Because chaplains may be the only clergy available in combat zones or remote postings, their insignia — patches and small metal pins worn on their uniforms — function as a quick signal of religious identity.
—Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Manufacturers of estradiol patches have struggled to keep pace, creating supply disruptions at pharmacies across the country.
—Kristine Lazar, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
The formula is petroleum-free and powered by ultra-refined lanolin (an ingredient that mimic the skin’s own lipids) that helps replenish the barrier, soften rough patches, and restore suppleness.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
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
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
-
The specks of light are small bombs, each carrying up to 11 pounds of explosives, which are released at high altitude from the head of the missile before raining down indiscriminately over a wide area.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
-
These generally appear as white bumps or specks that encrust the stems, branches, and undersides of leaves and suck the sap.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Overnight is when the skin repairs itself, produces collagen, and resets for a healthier-looking complexion.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Aimed at improving circularity and extending the life cycle of its products, M&S partnered with Redskinned—a company that repairs, resells and recycles used garments—to operate the eBay storefront.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Using x-ray fluorescence spectrometry, scholars determined that the ancient off-white fluid was composed of calcite, huntite, and miniscule flecks of yellow orpiment, a highly toxic sulfide of arsenic that Egyptians also used in medicine to treat syphilis and malaria.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Jade feels calming yet luxurious, especially when paired with flecks of gold leaf.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These brief bits find themselves among the fine art works curated from 32 of the hundreds of painters, sculptors, illustrators and photographers who have traveled to Ossabaw Island over the past 65 years.—
Amy Paige Condon,
AJC.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
To be more sensitive to modern audiences, O’Brien said that Howl’s revival would take fewer song requests while softening the onstage comedy bits, adding that its modern music and food menu of wings and flatbreads would also drive the bar’s success.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This bill fixes that at zero cost to manufacturers.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
OpenAI also has plans to add an adult mode for ChatGPT, but that won’t arrive until the company fixes its age-prediction system.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These dots in your vision are generally harmless, but can be cause for concern in certain circumstances.—
Cathy Nelson,
Health,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Think bold, eye-catching florals, classy polka-dots, and summer-ready gingham for as low as $15.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The perhaps ironic primary cause is regulations on international shipping reducing pollutant particles, which reflected sunlight into space.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the dust particles reached the ground as rain and coated the surface with a brown colored residue.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patches. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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