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patchwork 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of patchworknext
as in eclectic
consisting of many things of different sorts a patchwork collection of antiques from different periods

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

patchwork

2 of 2

noun

ˈpach-ˌwərk How to pronounce patchwork (audio)
as in jumble
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things the state's patchwork of outdated laws regulating commercial activity on Sundays

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 patchwork
Noun
Many have adopted a patchwork approach that involves different training programs, policies and processes across locations. — Katherin Nukk-Freeman, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Miami’s new management of Sullivan and Hafley didn’t do any patchwork roster moves. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026 That meant there was no single office, agency or organization capable of addressing residents’ concerns, but a patchwork of agencies where responsibility is fragmented. — Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026 The outbreak has shown signs of slowing since, but experts caution that the recovery may be patchwork. — Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patchwork
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patchwork
  1. eclectic
  2. jumble
  3. varied
  4. medley
  5. mixed
  6. variety
  7. assorted
  8. assortment
Adjective
  • And on Sunday, Danny Elfman took to the stage at Louisville’s Louder Than Life to share a slice of that eclectic body of work.
    — Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Dolce’s cool, reductive architectural sense, with its airy vistas and great open spaces inside and out (perfect for their energetic Labradors, Lola and her son, Dali), is cluttered with the eclectic bounty that Gabbana has assembled over the years.
    — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of eclectic
Noun
  • Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.
    — Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.
    — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of jumble
Adjective
  • The brewery offers a varied selection of styles brewed in-house from IPAs to sours to dark brews to light sippers.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Because the policy measures were varied across combinations, the same option appeared for different respondents alongside many combinations of other policies.
    — Fengxiu Zhang, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of varied
Noun
  • Derived from the Italian word for garden, Chicago-style giardiniera is a veggie medley cured in vinegar and packed in oil, with a satisfyingly crunchy flavor profile ranging from briny to tangy to hot.
    — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Musgraves also performed the same song alongside Parton at the 2019 Grammys during a special segment featuring a medley of Parton’s hits.
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of medley
Adjective
  • Adoption has been slower in industries with smaller, mixed-brand fleets, such as real estate, home services and specialty contracting, where integrating multiple OEM platforms often outweighs near-term gains.
    — Stacey Moser, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Top banking analyst Mike Mayo of Wells Fargo is out with his third-quarter earnings preview, with mixed attitudes on Club names BNY and Goldman Sachs .
    — Matthew J. Belvedere,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of mixed
Noun
  • Cool Pacific breezes and a variety of soils make this stretch of Northern California a perfect place to grow grapes.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Tony's Pizza Napoletana delivers a heady variety of regional styles in addition to its namesake Neapolitan (chef-owner Tony Gemignani's Neapolitan Margherita helped jump-start his career).
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of variety
Adjective
  • However, assorted studies suggest that hair overall tends to grow faster during the summer months, possibly due to hormones released more abundantly in warmer temperatures.
    — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Underwood threw for 251 yards in his first collegiate start, before any of his assorted coaches could work their magic.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of assorted
Noun
  • Senior quarterback Wyatt Tewell has completed 74 of 105 pass attempts for 1,049 yards and 13 TDs with just one interception, connecting with an assortment of receivers.
    — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • And because this marks the brand’s 25th anniversary, Peter Millar also created a sophisticated, luxury assortment to celebrate, which will also make its appearance in the marketing materials.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of assortment

Phrases Containing patchwork

Browse Nearby Words

patch (together)
patchwork
patchwork quilt
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Cite this Entry

“Patchwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patchwork. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on patchwork

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about patchwork

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