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

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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
Personal issues, such as cleanliness, eye care routines, or sleep patterns, are one thing, but there are also more widespread, communal issues that can greatly affect your eyesight in surprising ways. William Jones, Ascend Agency, 11 Nov. 2025 As the format matures, that accessibility can help challenge the old patterns of entertainment and pave the way for a more inclusive audio landscape. Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 11 Nov. 2025 Refashion uses modules—often simple shapes, like rectangles and triangles—to help users lay out garment patterns, allowing designers to create digital pieces that can be reimagined into multiple garments. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 11 Nov. 2025 Decorate in layers, playing with different textures, patterns, and shades in a way that feels eclectic without being cluttered. Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2025 While earnings reports from most athletic brands confirm the running category continues to grow, patterns for specialty run retailers have been much harder to define. Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025 That may mean shirts mapping breathing patterns during training or patches that log temperature shifts across the workday. William Jones, jsonline.com, 11 Nov. 2025 Between unpredictable weather patterns, oversold flights, and massive crowds, traveling during the holiday season already presents its own set of problems and concerns. Essence, 10 Nov. 2025 In a similar vein, Timnit Gebru, a computer scientist writing during her time working at Google, warned of the dangers of large language models acting as stochastic parrots, which repeat language patterns without understanding, and in doing so replicate the biases embedded in their training data. Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patterns
Noun
  • The Whitney Noir clocks in at a height of 17 inches and takes a page from the motifs presented in Carolina Herrera’s fall 2025 collection — chiefly floral designs and grid-like patterns.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Poetically, collaboration and togetherness were motifs throughout the evening, as no behind the camera job is accomplished in isolation.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The company's annual survey reveals the most popular side dishes across the nation in 2025 for Thanksgiving dinner, along with standard and changing holiday habits.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Recognizing that pattern can help parents anticipate and take practical steps early, such as helping kids improve hygiene habits and planning for backup child care before illness strikes.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • From supporting overall wellness to preventing nutrient deficiencies, taking supplements is a cornerstone in many people’s health routines.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 10 Nov. 2025
  • As women start to progress through this period, their wellness routines might need modification to adequately manage symptoms and reflect the changing needs of their bodies.
    Olivia Lee, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • And no columns to get in the way Decades of retrofitting the 1928 courthouse resulted in some awkward layouts for smaller courtrooms.
    Douglas Hanks November 10, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The findings produced several best-practice recommendations for optimizing alpine PV layouts.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The victories are seen by many analysts and political figures as a signal that Democrats have regained momentum after losses in the 2024 election cycle—while some Republican voices warn of growing disconnection from core voters.
    Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Turnout figures for the Sacramento region show the Yes on 50 campaign benefitted from low voter turnout compared to other recent elections.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Living in Denver means the trails are never far away, and fall hiking has become one of my favorite seasonal rituals—crisp mornings, the scent of pine, and light that makes everything glow.
    Ariana Dickson, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The rituals were ancient, unchanged since Rustin had sat for his.
    George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Edwards is the vehicle that often drives their offense and pulls them out of ruts.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Wet grass can clog your mower, leave ruts in the soil, and raise the risk of lawn diseases.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The simplicity of the marks is echoed in the Godna collection, whose designs feature articulated ribs of high-polish 18-karat yellow gold lined with pavé diamonds and holding larger diamonds.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
  • But what's really cool is how the movie brings those story lines together in a narrative filled with intriguing twists, gnarly kills, heroic sacrifices and a slew of nifty new Predator designs.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Patterns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patterns. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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