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
Relevance
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
Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
Their motley cast of puppets, including a lizardlike character named Kermit, sang parody songs and performed comedy sketches.
—Jared Bahir Browsh, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
This made us—with all our human, mortal limitations—rather like the God of all those past centuries of belief, or should that be credulity: the God who retained and stored away everything in his motley, moveless time, in which nothing was new or old, remote or recent.
—Margaret Jull Costa, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for motley
Adjective
The current membership of the board is a motley mix.
—Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
Their motley cast of puppets, including a lizardlike character named Kermit, sang parody songs and performed comedy sketches.
—Jared Bahir Browsh, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
Her goal is to start a women’s consciousness-raising group, and her efforts have brought together a motley, inquisitive quintet.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
This made us—with all our human, mortal limitations—rather like the God of all those past centuries of belief, or should that be credulity: the God who retained and stored away everything in his motley, moveless time, in which nothing was new or old, remote or recent.
—Margaret Jull Costa, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for motley
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motley
Adjective
-
The worldwide dance tournament hosted 16 dancers from across the country in a dance contest featuring eclectic styles and moves as the crowd judged the best dancers in head-to-head competitions all night.—
Dominick Williams
April 26,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
-
That, in a nutshell, sums up much about the Brussels art ecosystem, which is famous for being eclectic and of excellent quality.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Born Ereunna McCoy, BunnaB captures the spirit of Atlanta through colorful, witty rhymes and catchy adlibs, boosted by her vibrant delivery.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But the Shedd outlasted the mobsters and Lord knows what else in its home city’s colorful history and now is trying to raise $500 million over eight years in honor of its pending 100th anniversary in 2030.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Post-draft outlook Don’t let the draft-weekend optimism fool you — the Cardinals have a long road ahead.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
There is an old saying that people who represent themselves in court effectively have a fool for a lawyer.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Denim is large part of the brand’s assortment.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Thousands of photographs and historical documents are stored in archives and the collections section of the museum houses an assortment of memorabilia.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Mundo Maya is a vast and varied region that mixes ancient architectural wonders with modern-day luxuries and activities.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Complex work required teams of people with varied backgrounds, such as analysts, researchers, and operators, because no one person had all the capabilities and expertise.—
Bruce Broussard,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When the Woods Hole Science Aquarium reopens in 2027, the split-colored lobster is expected to be among the animals on display for visitors — a 1-in-50-million catch that went from a Cape Cod fishing boat to a permanent home at a Massachusetts aquarium.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Deputies put out a be-on-the-lookout for a dark-colored car.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There’s some Streisand, too, and a big dose of Andrea Martin, specifically Martin’s signature SCTV character Edith Prickley, that bawdy, gawdy ham with all the bravado of a Catskills clown.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
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Once completed, the $5 million acquisition will ensure the theater has a permanent home, a place where skateboarding clowns and leek-haired onions can continue to frolic and dance for decades to come.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motley. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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