1
as in eclectic
consisting of many things of different sorts
a ship with a motley crew of old salts, young adventurers, and shifty characters of all ages
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in colorful
marked by a variety of usually vivid colors
a tropical bird with motley plumage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in assortment
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
a motley of old junk stored in the attic
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motley
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Investigators soon determined, and so did the courts, that a motley group of arsonists had intentionally torched the factory, seemingly for the insurance money.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
Esha Chhabra, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2022
His tall, broad-shouldered hunchback stomps around the court in the multi-colored motley teasing his master and his henchmen with seeming good-natured gaiety.
—Bill Hirschman, sun-sentinel.com, 14 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for motley
Adjective
Pregnant right whales migrate southward in the Atlantic Ocean to the waters off the Florida and Georgia coasts each winter to give birth, often loosely accompanied by a motley assortment that includes adult males and females as well as juveniles.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Investigators soon determined, and so did the courts, that a motley group of arsonists had intentionally torched the factory, seemingly for the insurance money.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
With a total team of 25 today, Schaper is trying to juggle a motley of distribution channels, each with their own unique needs and processes.
—Esha Chhabra, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2022
His tall, broad-shouldered hunchback stomps around the court in the multi-colored motley teasing his master and his henchmen with seeming good-natured gaiety.
—Bill Hirschman, sun-sentinel.com, 14 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for motley
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motley
Adjective
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Much like the Baller League — a six-a-side football competition featuring an eclectic mix of YouTubers, Twitch streamers and ex-professionals — PogChamps is part of chess’s broader attempt to court a younger, online audience by having 12 celebrities face off in timed matches.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
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The eclectic collection of jam sessions also features West Los Angeles artists and musicians of the era, including Burgess Meredith (Rocky, Batman), as well as members of Oingo Boingo.—
Ilana Kaplan,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Grief has grayed-out her love for colorful creation.—
Lorraine Berry,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
-
At the end of a Monday morning meeting, realtors lined up to spin a colorful wheel to earn prizes, such as money for gas or Starbucks.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2025
Noun
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Matthew Davies, 41, was taken into custody on suspicion of assaulting a man with a glass bottle while dressed up as a clown on Oct. 31, 2018, according to a news release issued by the department.—
Vincent Moleski,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2025
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In the ‘30s and ‘40s, there were all these clowns trying to sell things, and then there was Krinkles the Clown trying to sell cereal [in the ‘50s].—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2025
Noun
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Miss Nellie's is a lovely vibe post-show, and have a wonderful assortment of cocktails and mocktails.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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Before King, Summer was portrayed by Lindsay Bushman, Samantha Bailey, and an assortment of twin child actors, including Elara and Rhea Kerwin, and Bianca and Chiara D’Ambrosio.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Alternatives, a varied category of assets beyond traditional equities and bonds, can significantly enhance portfolio resilience and growth.—
Fred Hubler,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
CrossFit is based on the philosophy that constantly varied movements performed with moderate intensity improve physical competence.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Presidents fought an undeclared war against Afghanistan for two decades costing $2.3 trillion on a fool’s errand concluding in a defeat by the Taliban.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2025
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The Lakers’ No. 1 defense over a 24-game stretch from mid-January through early March was fool’s gold, with Hayes’ play being the most unsustainable part.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2025
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Baker also leads the orchestra, which sounds grand — although the sound in the arts center’s Pugh Theater often left musicians, lead singers and chorus all at the same level, with actors speaking over all of it at the same time to create a sonic jumble.—
Matthew J. Palm,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There’s also sweet options such as Orange Date Scones that are served warm with house made lemon curd, Almond Financier, and assorted Petits Frais.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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The product will come in at least five varieties – milk, dark, white, caramel and assorted – and will hit shelves in September.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motley. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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