MOTLEY Synonyms: 243 Similar and Opposite Words

motley 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmät-lē

Definition of motley

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

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

as in fool

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

as in assortment

an unorganized collection or mixture of various things a motley of old junk stored in the attic

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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

Rebecca and Keeley Jones (Juno Temple) have enticed Ted back to England from Kansas to coach their new women’s team, a motley group of players desperately in need of Ted’s guidance. — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 Things are getting serious for our motley investigative crew. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 8 July 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 Kaan kaan wu, with its motley of melds, is where these two tiles from different suits can be used in a clean-sweeping hand. — Rudy Lee, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2023 See All Example Sentences for motley

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motley

Adjective

Sean Ono Lennon has had a long, eclectic music career as a member of a number of bands, including the Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, Cibo Matto, the Claypool Lennon Delirium and the Plastic Ono Band.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
The milestone arrives with a remarkably eclectic roll call of global tastemakers, executives and visionaries.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of eclectic

Adjective

Frosted glass walls reveal a garden of oversize, colorful leather flowers, while wood and leather, recurring materials in Polène’s stores, appear in the furnishings.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Other suites are even more striking, covered from head to toe in a flora wallpaper and bright, colorful custom furniture.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of colorful

Noun

Don’t let the building’s modern facade fool you, the rooms are minimalist yet warm with wood flooring, floral wallpaper, and hand-knotted rugs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
In these labors, Carson is akin to two other recent laureates, Jon Fosse and László Krasznahorkai, our foremost writers of holy fools.

— Merve Emre, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of fool

Noun

Part of Borromeo’s mandate was to tighten the product assortment, boost the company’s profitability and return it back to its foundational values and DNA.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
The restaurant will sell an assortment of Korean rib, beef and bone soups.

— Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of assortment

Adjective

The allegations are wide-ranging, varied and horrific, and Brand will have the chance to defend himself likely in a few weeks’ time.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
The destinations varied, but both trips gave these women the rare pleasure of having their wishes shape the experiences—and allowed their daughters to know them in a new way.

— Jenn Sinrich, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of varied

Adjective

There is a wall with removable dashboard panels across the color spectrum and a couple of miniature models of the cab with tiny, colored panels to help customers decide on the details.

— Eric Bangeman, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026
Finance Buzz named Dollar Tree’s solid colored plastic partyware as one of its best dupes for more expensive items.

— Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of colored

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

Definition of jumble

Browse Nearby Words

motivity

motley

motleys

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“Motley.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motley. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of motley

adjective

noun

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