as in dilapidated
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Recent Examples of patchy
With a light-green color, rough bluegrass can be a startling, patchy addition to a lawn when mixed with other seeds.
—
Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 4 Apr. 2026
The other is a patchy, unpersuasive psychodrama about the underlying motivations and years-later ramifications of an unspeakable act—or, in this case, an unrealized plan to commit an unspeakable act.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Nest Wi-Fi Pro Router Deal The Nest Wifi Pro makes slow, patchy internet feel like a thing of the past.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Make Makeup Last Using a moisturizing primer, opting for cream‑based products, and finishing with setting spray or powder can help prevent makeup from becoming flaky or patchy in dry conditions.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patchy
Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 4 Apr. 2026
The other is a patchy, unpersuasive psychodrama about the underlying motivations and years-later ramifications of an unspeakable act—or, in this case, an unrealized plan to commit an unspeakable act.
—Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Nest Wi-Fi Pro Router Deal The Nest Wifi Pro makes slow, patchy internet feel like a thing of the past.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Make Makeup Last Using a moisturizing primer, opting for cream‑based products, and finishing with setting spray or powder can help prevent makeup from becoming flaky or patchy in dry conditions.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patchy
Adjective
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The state Department of Corrections is in strikingly similar dire straits with dilapidated prisons and a decreasing number of COs.—
Steve Zeidman,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Ross saved the Miami Open, moving it from a dilapidated Key Biscayne venue, and retrofitting Hard Rock Stadium’s grounds for it.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The names of the oldest Metro stations also contained micro-histories, so too the faded playbills of the theaters and chipped words at the tramcar stop.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
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Actress Letitia Wright attended a Prada event in a faded denim and leather jacket.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Next comes quesillo, the Oaxacan cheese pulled into lacy webs, and handfuls of shredded cabbage.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
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Rice or quinoa base, shredded chicken, whatever vegetables are in your fridge and a drizzle of sauce.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Talking Heads played their first gig in June, 1975, opening for the Ramones at CBGB, a rock club on a mangy block in the East Village.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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That also includes Leonard, a dapper old parrot who lives in the clinic, and Bitchy, a mangy, rangy alley cat who recently wandered into the office and took up residence.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
Mismatched white tones in a kitchen can make some surfaces feel dingy.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
7 Apr. 2026
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What was once two city blocks of dingy industrial warehouses is now an alluring complex of stores, cafes, artist studios and event space meant to attract Fort Lauderdale’s burgeoning population of young professionals and South Floridians willing to drive from Miami and West Palm Beach.—
Amanda Rosa,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Goma is married as a 7-year-old to a decrepit 70-year-old man.—
Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz,
The Conversation,
24 Mar. 2026
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The island’s decrepit power system uses aging thermal power plants from the former Soviet Union.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For example, receive a new pair of socks, finally throw away that extra holey pair hiding in the back of the drawer.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
5 Jan. 2026
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That’s thanks to a quirk of South Florida’s geology, where the entire region is perched on holey rock that does little to stop the rise of groundwater, which Sukop’s research has shown is rising on pace with sea level.—
Susan Merriam,
Miami Herald,
12 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Small visual tricks are ubiquitous yet nothing here feels tacky.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
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For every tacky house, a tacky person; for every tacky person, a tacky house.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patchy. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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