Illustration of patchwork
- patchwork 2
patchwork
noun
patch·work
ˈpach-ˌwərk 
often attributive
1
: something composed of miscellaneous or incongruous parts : hodgepodge
2
: pieces of cloth of various colors and shapes sewn together to form a covering
also
: something resembling such a covering
a patchwork of fields
Synonyms
- agglomerate
- agglomeration
- alphabet soup
- assortment
- botch
- clutter
- collage
- crazy quilt
- farrago
- gallimaufry
- grab bag
- gumbo
- hash
- hodgepodge
- hotchpotch
- jambalaya
- jumble
- jungle
- litter
- macédoine
- medley
- mélange
- menagerie
- miscellanea
- miscellany
- mishmash
- mixed bag
- montage
- motley
- muddle
- olio
- olla podrida
- omnium-gatherum
- pastiche
- patchwork quilt
- potpourri
- ragbag
- ragout
- rummage
- salad
- salmagundi
- scramble
- shuffle
- smorgasbord
- stew
- tumble
- variety
- welter
Examples of patchwork in a Sentence
The valley is a patchwork of family farms.
A patchwork of laws prevent the land from being developed.
a patchwork system of laws
Recent Examples on the Web
But their first mission is complicated by betrayals, romances, a few twists and the chaos factor brought by the Bride’s patchwork ex, Eric Frankenstein (David Harbour).
—
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
Known for his abstract, patchwork technique on furniture and functional design, Kemmenoe will present a collection of collectible furniture items including two chairs, a cabinet, two wall panels, three lamps, and a coffee table.
—Sofia Celeste, WWD, 2 Dec. 2024
But for now, the city remains, still producing oil, still all but sealed off from outsiders, a rusty patchwork symbol of an industry in slow decline.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 6 Nov. 2024
Everyone else relied on a patchwork of other, much smaller networks, with fewer ports, inconsistent charging speeds and a reputation for unreliability.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patchwork 
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Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
Known for his abstract, patchwork technique on furniture and functional design, Kemmenoe will present a collection of collectible furniture items including two chairs, a cabinet, two wall panels, three lamps, and a coffee table.
—Sofia Celeste, WWD, 2 Dec. 2024
But for now, the city remains, still producing oil, still all but sealed off from outsiders, a rusty patchwork symbol of an industry in slow decline.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 6 Nov. 2024
Everyone else relied on a patchwork of other, much smaller networks, with fewer ports, inconsistent charging speeds and a reputation for unreliability.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patchwork
Dictionary Entries Near patchwork
Cite this Entry
“Patchwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patchwork. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
patchwork
noun
patch·work
ˈpach-ˌwərk
1
: something made up of various parts
2
: pieces of cloth of various colors and shapes sewn together usually in a pattern
patchwork
adjective
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