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.
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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
-
Subjects are often, to the naked eye, tiny specks of light surrounded by darkness.—
Tantse Walter,
Space.com,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Tiny beads of blood had seeped out and dried into tiny specks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 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
-
The jokes and musical bits are amusing but not groundbreaking, and the story is too light and slow to have a real impact.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Use your hands to agitate the greens (this will dislodge any stubborn bits of grit or dirt), then drain and spin dry.—
Riley Wofford,
Martha Stewart,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Pocket Grip is also aimed at woodworkers, bike mechanics, electrical technicians, and anyone who regularly fixes stuff around the house.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
4 Mar. 2026
-
One fixes the bone, while the other does skin grafting of the wounds, which adds to recovery time.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Citizens can help connect the dots and influence the science.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Last year, something damaged my chives and garlic, starting with odd rows of white dots on the leaves.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
2 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 14 Mar. 2026.
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