patterns 1 of 2

plural of pattern
1
as in motifs
a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric) a coverlet with a nosegay of tiny pink roses as the pattern

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
4
as in layouts
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged many of the artist's paintings use the same pattern of a lone figure surrounded by a vast landscape

Synonyms & Similar Words

patterns

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of pattern

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 patterns
Noun
Hotels, as well as airports, are perfect places to test this technology because their electricity usage follows quite predictable patterns. — New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026 According to a new report on eating patterns in America by market research company Circana, nearly half of US adults are actively trying to consume more protein, from bars to whey powder to chicken breasts night after night. — Emily Laurence Sardinha, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Oct. 2026 These datasets contain millions of examples of how atmospheric conditions evolve with time, allowing AI models to learn patterns in a way that would have been impossible a decade ago. — Chanh Kieu, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026 Desperate to change, Tonya turns to her estranged mother, Wanda (Miller), who offers little concern and instead accuses her of repeating the same destructive patterns that shaped her own childhood. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026 According to the staff report, the study would evaluate crash patterns and identify the road users most frequently involved in crashes to help develop improvements. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Brain signals keep shifting Brain-computer interfaces translate patterns of neural activity into commands that can operate computers and other devices. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026 Reusable intelligence consists of methods, patterns and lessons that can legitimately improve execution elsewhere. — Kelvin Cheema, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The key now is whether XLK’s bullish patterns continue to work. — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patterns
Noun
  • Shell embellishments and pearl-like motifs brought the collection’s coastal references into more decorative pieces.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In their video works, Phil Colllins and Christian Jankowski both edit together various scenes from telenovelas, both imagined and real, respectively, as a way to draw attention to these recurring motifs.
    — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Consumer habits also proved more stubbornly set than PowerPoint presentations had suggested.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Interior designers and professional organizers say most kitchens hide usable square footage in plain sight, trapped behind clutter, bad habits and bulky gear that could be stored smarter or edited out entirely.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Simple activities or routines at a treatment center could overstimulate Pike and set off a cycle of meltdowns and punishments.
    — Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Mercury in your 9th House squares Mars in your 6th, making schedules, chores, work, or health routines feel especially restrictive when your mind wants to explore something larger.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • More complex layouts might eventually produce stronger swimming or other movements.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Drivers knew the back entrances, the factory layouts, and the best path to the boss of a mom-and-pop workshop.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • As these risks evolve, insurers can contribute research, health engagement, and collaboration with governments, healthcare providers, and investors to deepen understanding of how climate change shapes health outcomes.
    — Mitch New, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Change can threaten expertise, status or autonomy, and how people weigh its benefits against its harms shapes their response.
    — Andriana Eliadis, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Opt for scalloped French tips with blue fresco detailing, or stripes the color of the Tuscan sun.
    — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • And members of these new churches were mostly not the black-dressed, hypocritical, sour-faced, monocultural figures favored by popular narrative, but often included colorful figures who were sometimes surprisingly modern in their desires.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Prominent appointments have gone to figures such as Jason Reding Quiñones, a prosecutor who reportedly received low scores on performance evaluations while working at the Southern District of Florida.
    — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • They may have been kept open throughout the year for rituals commemorating important dates and festivals, as well as the worshipping of the dead.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Reiki sessions are therapeutic and intuitive, as the practitioner hardly touches the body, and aromatic local herbs and spices are put to use during the two-hour Royal Balinese Boreh treatment that references centuries-old rituals.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Patterns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patterns. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster