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
This can create a patchwork of high- and low-pressure systems over California that supercharge the Santa Ana winds.
—
Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
Legal patchwork explains discrepancies in Diplo, Diddy, Jay-Z anonymous accuser cases
While different states are providing these windows, or stretching the statute of limitations further for future victims, the current legal landscape forms a sort of patchwork across the nation.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
The fringed changing room curtains are made from a patchwork of La Veste’s signature striped and patterned fabrics, while the entrance is dominated by a large slant-top library desk dotted with opaline lamps.
—Joelle Diderich, WWD, 15 Jan. 2025
Firefighters are struggling to control a patchwork of deadly blazes that have killed at least five people and leveled entire communities.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for patchwork 
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.
Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
Legal patchwork explains discrepancies in Diplo, Diddy, Jay-Z anonymous accuser cases
While different states are providing these windows, or stretching the statute of limitations further for future victims, the current legal landscape forms a sort of patchwork across the nation.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
The fringed changing room curtains are made from a patchwork of La Veste’s signature striped and patterned fabrics, while the entrance is dominated by a large slant-top library desk dotted with opaline lamps.
—Joelle Diderich, WWD, 15 Jan. 2025
Firefighters are struggling to control a patchwork of deadly blazes that have killed at least five people and leveled entire communities.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 9 Jan. 2025
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 21 Jan. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share