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
-
While some people can pull off an eclectic mix of ceramics and glassware, that can take years (and lots of vintage shopping) to accomplish.—
Erika Owen,
Vogue,
5 Apr. 2025
-
As with The Crux, fans can expect an eclectic performance.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The frame’s branches keep it rustic, but the plethora of colorful gerber daisies and ferns at the base add brightness.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Keep It Fun: For a playful, on-trend look, try pairing your minidress with a colorful pair of sneakers.—
Ruhama Wolle,
Glamour,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Caro Stowell of Thomasville was dressed up like a clown.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2025
-
The final moments of the trailer revealed a terrifying figure hiding deep in the woods, one that looked overwhelmingly like a female clown.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
From an assortment standpoint, data helps massively as well.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
-
What was wrong with an assortment of kingdoms, fiefdoms, and tribes?—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Fruit should be part of a varied diet that includes vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy.—
Ann Pietrangelo,
Verywell Health,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Your unique, varied experience works against you in keyword scoring.—
Gina Riley,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Unfortunately, building massive scale factories here in the US to replace overseas production would be a fool’s errand.—
Robert C. Wolcott,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
After a brief fool’s spring, New York City plunged once again into a cold snap.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2025
-
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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What’s clearly on display throughout Epic Universe is world building on a scale traditionally more assorted with Disney parks.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2025
-
My standard ocean-view room was a generous 500 square feet and furnished with a four-poster king bed, a three-seat sectional sofa, a writing desk, ample closet space for two, and a glass hutch that held a Nespresso coffee maker, art books, and assorted figurines.—
Denny Lee,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motley. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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