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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motley
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2025
One of the key modernist figures formed her dance company 60 years ago as a motley troop of five women who danced spontaneously outdoors for passersby.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 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
The film takes place in today’s world as Detective Shay Williams (Union) and her partner Galpin (Colter) become trapped inside the Ursuline Convent with a motley group (including Castillo, Frewer and Lennon) when the Casket Girls escape from their attic prison for the first time in over 300 years.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2025
One of the key modernist figures formed her dance company 60 years ago as a motley troop of five women who danced spontaneously outdoors for passersby.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 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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In the video, Bieber sports a yellow beanie while immersing himself in a trippy, experimental jam session with an eclectic mix of mind-bending electronic sounds.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
22 Mar. 2025
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Asheville, North Carolina is an eclectic mountain town that millions flock to each year to see its natural beauty, endless hiking trails, music and arts scene, and award-winning restaurants.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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However, thanks to advances in low-light performance, that’s all changed, with the latest models (and even those a few years old) able to take spectacular photos and impressive videos of colorful aurora.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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As much a piece of art as a pit stop for birds, this handblown glass option will attract swarms with its colorful globe, 34-ounce capacity, and four petaled feeding ports.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Parsons called him a jealous clown, in so many words.—
Troy Renck,
The Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2025
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Who was the biggest Death of a Unicorn class clown?—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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At the time, her designs pushed the limits and got left out of assortments.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
25 Mar. 2025
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The Texas Department of Public Safety last year identified an assortment of tattoos connected to Tren de Aragua, many relatively common: stars on the shoulder, royal crowns, firearms, trains, dice, roses, tigers and jaguars.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Strickland's journey to AEW's main event scene has been a long and varied one.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Census participation levels have long varied among different demographic groups.—
Hansi Lo Wang,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Historically, betting against bigs who can pass is a fool’s errand.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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Here’s the deal: Chasing quick wins is a fool’s errand.—
Jonathan Wagner,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 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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This assorted pack comes with a wide variety of sizes and materials, including fabric bandages (the longest-lasting) and waterproof options.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Mar. 2025
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One thing was certain: Per its title, it was set in the demimonde of the galaxy far, far away, among its scoundrels, and smugglers, and bounty hunters and assorted other criminals.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motley. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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