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an unorganized collection or mixture of various things the state's patchwork of outdated laws regulating commercial activity on Sundays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 in the industry have favored a preemption measure to avoid complying with a complicated patchwork of regulations. — Victoria Baeza Garcia, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2026 The longer the starters can go, the less manager Craig Counsell has to rely on a patchwork bullpen. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026 The result was a patchwork of stories that mattered to people living through extreme violence, death and censorship. — Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026 The current patchwork asks retailers and consumers to judge compliance product by product. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 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
  • Elegant bars like The Marquis and Five of Clubs, alongside eclectic libations at The Bearded Lady’s Jewel Box, should more than do you well for nightcaps.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 July 2026
  • The musical’s band sits to the side of the stage, giving audiences full view of the musicians performing Mitchell’s score, an eclectic fusion of modern Broadway sound with New Orleans jazz.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 July 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
  • Another nuance to consider is workers’ varied ability to acclimatize, Curtarelli notes.
    — Oliver Balch, Fortune, 27 July 2026
  • References were as varied as Martha Stewart, Ralph Lauren, and Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
    — Sean Santiago, Vogue, 27 July 2026
Definition of varied
Noun
  • First, Christmas carolers came out and performed a medley to cultivate a Yuletide spirit on a balmy 80-degree afternoon.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 23 July 2026
  • Set on a stage at the very highest level of the stands, that similarly crowded performance looked like a Grammys medley on video but must have resembled ants scurrying around a screensaver to much of the in-person audience.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 19 July 2026
Definition of medley
Adjective
  • Sarah Dempster, an architect for Populous, said other baseball stadium projects in Atlanta, Chicago and Denver have successfully created walkable mixed-use districts around stadiums that are unique to their cities.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • As examples of the mismanagement, Yiannas noted the outbreak’s extreme size—already well over double the typical number of cases seen in recent years—as well as mixed messaging and confusion among consumers.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026
Definition of mixed
Noun
  • Instead of choosing one flavor of pre-packaged candy, Swedish supermarkets and candy stores have a variety of bins full of sweets for shoppers to pluck from.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
  • Today, some bright spots aside, the Art Deco District’s historic commercial spine is a drab length of vacant and unkempt storefronts, smoke shops, liquor stores, fast-food outlets, cheap T-shirt emporia and other varieties of tourist trap.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of variety
Adjective
  • Evenly sprinkle bread with cheeses, prosciutto, and assorted toppings.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 July 2026
  • Guests were also invited to indulge at an opulent dessert station featuring a tiramisu tower, lemon profiteroles, chocolate mousse, assorted fruit tarts, crisp biscotti, and fresh, seasonal fruits.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
Definition of assorted
Noun
  • And The Agentic Economy From demand forecasting and assortment planning to pricing, recommendations and inventory optimization, AI is accelerating and sharpening decision-making across the aftermarket.
    — Anan Bishara, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • The reindeer live on the Ritter farm with an assortment of other animals, the stars of her petting zoo.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 23 July 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 30 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on patchwork

Nglish: Translation of patchwork for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about patchwork

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