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
However, international VCs see a patchwork of rules and regulations and are not necessarily willing or equipped to adopt their policies and contracts to local requirements.
—
Trevor Clawson, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
The outcome was less froufrou compared to previous efforts that were rich in bows, ruffles, flounces and patchworks, as the more streamlined hybrids better expressed the rigor of the theme.
—Sandra Salibian, WWD, 13 Dec. 2024
The only predictable thing about crypto seems to be its penchant for attracting and enriching a patchwork of individuals with qualities including, but not limited to, an appetite for risk, an overwhelming optimism about the benefits of technology, or a healthy distrust of institutions.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
Nearly all of the habitat was destroyed for agriculture, urbanization and other development, leaving behind a patchwork of grasslands dotted across the landscape.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patchwork 
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Trevor Clawson, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
The outcome was less froufrou compared to previous efforts that were rich in bows, ruffles, flounces and patchworks, as the more streamlined hybrids better expressed the rigor of the theme.
—Sandra Salibian, WWD, 13 Dec. 2024
The only predictable thing about crypto seems to be its penchant for attracting and enriching a patchwork of individuals with qualities including, but not limited to, an appetite for risk, an overwhelming optimism about the benefits of technology, or a healthy distrust of institutions.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
Nearly all of the habitat was destroyed for agriculture, urbanization and other development, leaving behind a patchwork of grasslands dotted across the landscape.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 9 Dec. 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 22 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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