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an unorganized collection or mixture of various things the state's patchwork of outdated laws regulating commercial activity on Sundays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
Their presentations revealed a patchwork of efforts, with municipalities and organizations moving ahead while seeking clearer coordination and financial commitments. — Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 State lawmakers have already begun to pass a patchwork of laws that either expand or rein in how AI can be used in health care. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 14 Oct. 2026 Instead, oversight falls to states, creating what some call a patchwork of rules that range from strict regulations to minimal oversight. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Incremental patchwork fixes have failed for over fifty years. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 13 Oct. 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
  • His eclectic back catalog is more like a pick’n’mix of Swedish candy, filled with syrupy electro-pop and wonky and soulful house.
    — Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Food and drink Café Libre, next to the eclectic and cozy lobby, is a space designed to make guests and visitors feel right at home.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 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 allegations are wide-ranging, varied and horrific, and Brand will have the chance to defend himself likely in a few weeks’ time.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The destinations varied, but both trips gave these women the rare pleasure of having their wishes shape the experiences—and allowed their daughters to know them in a new way.
    — Jenn Sinrich, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of varied
Noun
  • After an opening medley that spans New Orleans jazz and bounce, the record’s signposts grow increasingly fuzzy.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The monitoring detected a medley of air contaminants commonly associated with burning fossil fuels.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of medley
Adjective
  • In the cursed days of auto-sync, pre-mixed sets, and the celebrity spinner, few have done as much to defend the noble art of the DJ as Felix Manuel, aka Djrum, a selector who combines galactically expansive taste with equally vast technical skill.
    — Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Reaction was mixed, with one organizer raising the importance of Black fraternities and sororities on campus.
    — Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of mixed
Noun
  • In an exclusive Vogue Business survey published in 2025, our data revealed that 67% of consumers are more likely to buy from fashion brands that show a variety of body sizes in their marketing.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Disney offered creators a wide variety of future opportunities, including set visits, press junkets and red carpet interviews with talent.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of variety
Adjective
  • For decades, Hollywood actor Danny Trejo’s bread and butter was playing gangsters, prison inmates and other assorted criminals.
    — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Japanese rice bowl combines soboro (そぼろ)—ground meat, fish, or eggs cooked into fine crumbles—with steamed short-grain rice and assorted toppings.
    — Tadashi Ono & Harris Salat, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of assorted
Noun
  • Part of Borromeo’s mandate was to tighten the product assortment, boost the company’s profitability and return it back to its foundational values and DNA.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The restaurant will sell an assortment of Korean rib, beef and bone soups.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 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 23 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on patchwork

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about patchwork

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