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
Katherine Burns Olson, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
Daisy, and a motley group of co-workers, toil in a cottage industry of agencies that evaluate harmful and offensive pictures and videos uploaded to social media.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 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
Their Manhattan apartment building is home to a motley ensemble of residents that could’ve come straight from Central Casting.
—Katherine Burns Olson, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
Daisy, and a motley group of co-workers, toil in a cottage industry of agencies that evaluate harmful and offensive pictures and videos uploaded to social media.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 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
-
His tastes are eclectic, ranging from early classical to Art Deco and Modernist designs.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
9 July 2025
-
The Active Awards are a particularly eclectic collection, ranging from the best trail running shoes (Hoka Tecton X 3) and the best electric bike (Brompton G Line) to the best smart ring, which is the Oura Ring 4 and best smartwatch, the OnePlus Watch 3.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
This Superman brings back the colorful visuals, the humor, the clever quips in the midst of battle, the lightheartedness of the vintage comics.—
Scott Phillips,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Mexico draws travelers for its irresistible regional cuisines, colorful textiles and art, and millennia-old traditions—all of which are well-reflected in the country’s eclectic hotels.—
Sarah Bruning,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
President Trump has repeatedly called Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell stupid, terrible, a fool, and referred to him as a person of average mentality.—
Mike Patton,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
That fool’s from my family’s hometown over there in Mexico.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
The challenge right now is to synchronize and systematize data collection and reporting such that meeting the current assortment of local, national and international requirements does not create an undue strain on the core business or leave that business open to risk of non-compliance.—
Mary Foley,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The assortment was developed in tandem with the Nordstrom team with Shanker carefully considering which of her brands made sense to showcase in a new larger setting.—
Thomas Waller,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Its geography is as varied as its ethnic composition.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
-
Other platforms pursue varied approaches within this framework.—
Roomy Khan,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
An evil clown turned serial killer who terrorizes a fictional New York City borough during Halloween and Christmas will join a maniacal lineup of murderers, mutants and monsters during this year’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
10 July 2025
-
White-stripe nails Circus-stripe nails Just like a striped Big Top tent, this circus set is complete with stars and clowns.—
Dominic Cadogan,
Glamour,
9 July 2025
Noun
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In jumbles of old stones that, to me, are barely legible as the remains of buildings, Cocon López could see the entire timeline of old Aké and how later people interacted with and repurposed what came before.—
Lizzie Wade,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
-
Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The Roomba’s ability to clean across the assorted rugs without getting stuck has been a big standout, according to Arzbaecher, and her favorite add-on is the app that controls the vacuum.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
26 June 2025
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The low neck blazer with golden buttons was also worn with a chain necklace with assorted crosses, while a pin on the upper crust of his jacket took center stage.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://x0upouf933.proxynodejs.usequeue.com/thesaurus/motley. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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