motley 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmät-lē How to pronounce motley (audio)
Definition of motleynext
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

motley

2 of 2

noun

1
as in clown
a person formerly kept in a royal or noble household to amuse with jests and pranks the motleys with their colorful outfits

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

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.
Recent Examples of motley
Adjective
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 New York may be losing its identity as the city that doesn’t sleep, but the motley guests at one 24-hour diner in Brooklyn show the spirit is still wide awake. — Eric Kim, New York Times, 22 Jan. 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
  1. eclectic
  2. colorful
  3. clown
  4. assortment
  5. varied
  6. fool
  7. jumble
  8. assorted
Adjective
  • An eclectic wall art installation is also a Muse Noire Interiors signature.
    — Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The second Stampede Cellar Showdown highlighted an eclectic mix of outstanding wines, with particular attention to some exceptional Canadian wines.
    — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of eclectic
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of colorful
Noun
  • In Eli Craig’s (Tucker & Dale vs Evil) newest outing, the real fun starts when Frendo the clown comes out to play.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
  • So the clown came out of him to be accepted, to be loved.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of clown
Noun
  • And our cashmere assortment really continues to be strong even in spring and summer.
    — Sam Reed, Glamour, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Dinosaur Footprints From the Lower Jurassic (Hettangian–Sinemurian) Precipice Sandstone of the Callide Basin, Queensland, Australia Sam Walters is a journalist covering archaeology, paleontology, ecology, and evolution for Discover, along with an assortment of other topics.
    — Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of assortment
Adjective
  • More research is needed to understand how different skin types respond to tallow, as existing studies use varied methodologies and reference points.
    — Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Thanks to its vast, varied, and meaningful stories —Liu and Takeda have felt that things have changed since then...
    — Tiffany Leigh, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of varied
Noun
  • Once infused with the diabolical spirit, the guide is transformed into a buffoon, complete with a harlequin outfit—a mad joker and a dancing fool who does a little jig to the sound of a jazz trio.
    — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The two murderers point fingers at one another, then end up teaming up to go fool Lottie’s poor elderly father.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of fool
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
Definition of jumble
Adjective
  • He was indicted last year in Los Angeles federal court on multiple federal charges, including running a continuing criminal enterprise, committing murder in connection with a continuing criminal enterprise and assorted drug crimes, the FBI said.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The set comes in an assorted four-pack with blue, pink, orange, and green (one of each).
    — Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of assorted

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“Motley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motley. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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