PATTERNS Synonyms: 186 Similar and Opposite Words

patterns 1 of 2

noun

plural of pattern

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

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Relevance

as in habits

a usual manner of behaving or doing her daily pattern begins with coffee and a bagel every morning for breakfast

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as in routines

an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity with her, everything must be done strictly according to pattern

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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

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patterns

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of pattern

as in models

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Dissimilar Words

misadjusts

as in stripes

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Dissimilar 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 patterns

Noun

As its name suggests, atom lithography does away with light altogether and instead uses physical matter—atoms—to print tiny patterns onto silicon chips. —

Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026 Watts teaches clients how to fish, respect the lake, to understand seasons, patterns and the importance of stewardship. —

Arkansas Online, 21 June 2026 Officers who are trained to recognize escalating risk patterns file more orders, not because the law changed, but because their capacity to apply it did. —

Christopher Carita, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026 This can lead to patterns of high and low pressure that translate into excessive rains in some parts of the world and drought in others. —

Bloomberg, Fortune, 21 June 2026 Astronomers can analyze the unique patterns of radio emissions from these sources to understand their structure, composition and other characteristics such as temperature. —

Denise Chow, NBC news, 21 June 2026 Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said the team playing their fourth game in seven days changed the substitution patterns for Sunday’s game. —

Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 21 June 2026 Disqualifying factors for Safe Street workers include a history of arson, rape or crimes involving children; active warrants, probation or parole violations; or any patterns of criminal conduct that suggest the person is an active risk to public safety, Mavronis said. —

Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 14 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for patterns

Noun

Growing up in the late ’90s and early aughts, butterfly motifs were everywhere.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 18 June 2026
This year’s design is a soft, baby blue gown — paying homage to the color of the island’s original 1895 flag— embroidered with subtle motifs, including yellow taxi cabs, the Brooklyn bridge and the Puerto Rico’s national flower, the flor de maga.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 15 June 2026