pleats 1 of 2

Definition of pleatsnext
present tense third-person singular of pleat
as in braids
to form into a braid pleat ribbons

Synonyms & Similar Words

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pleats

2 of 2

noun

plural of pleat

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 pleats
Verb
Flat front panel and knife pleats around the back. Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026 Copyleaf Stretchy Wide-Leg Pants A ruched waistband and imitation front-button closure give these stretchy, wide-leg trousers with reverse-front pleats a polished, work-ready vibe. Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026 Robust and cushioned, with stretchy pleats true to Issey Miyake’s iconic Pleats Please design, the accessory is designed to snugly hold any model of iPhone (as well as small essentials like AirPods or a chapstick). Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2025 The Tailleur section features a short redingote dress by Alaïa from the fall 2005 collection in navy blue wool cloth with a small flat collar, pleats on the hips, and decorative stitching. Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025 Chouyatou Linen-Blend Palazzo Pants These trousers are designed in a linen and cotton blend with an exaggerated wide-leg silhouette, exposed five-button fly, and pleats at the hips. Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
Overly Elaborate Pleats Heavy, elaborate pleats can make curtains look stiff and overly formal, which is why designers are favoring simpler, more elegant pleat styles. Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleats
Verb
  • His death gives shape to the plot, which braids together the police investigation with relevant flashbacks.
    Judy Berman, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Fischer skillfully braids the three stories together, situating them in an atmosphere of creative ferment and reckless churn.
    Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • For this super laidback, windchill-ready look, Hadid wore a beanie hat over her plaits, ski goggle-like black sunglasses, and black leather gloves.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026
  • Low-tension styles are no longer just a few neat plaits.
    Donnetta Monk, Essence, 21 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The remaining vessels traveled in loops to avoid entering the waterway.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
  • And in 1922, Levi’s became the first brand to use belt loops on jeans.
    Jack Armstrong, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But promising freshman slot receiver Vance Spafford finds creases in coverage and caught a TD pass Saturday, along with another nice catch along the sideline.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
  • His face, always stationed somewhere halfway to hangdog, seems to gain 20 new creases carved deep into his skin, accentuating his mournful eyes and his excruciated, heartbroken smile.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Press the seams together, flip over so the seam is down, and shape gently into a ball.
    Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
  • French seams, which both require more materials and require more construction time than other finishing options; the seam allowance is long enough to allow the raw edge to be folded back and hidden away with tiny, invisible stitches.
    Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • It’s also made with five foam layers that create a balanced feel, starting with a soft, quilted top layer that gives it an instantly cozy finish.
    Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Look at the layers of soil and grass and measure how thick the layer of thatch is.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pleats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleats. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.

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