patch 1 of 2

noun

ˈpach How to pronounce patch (audio)
Definition of patchnext
1
as in blotch
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part a black cat with a small patch of white next to her nose

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in speck
a very small piece a patch of land hardly big enough for a garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

patch

2 of 2

verb

as in to repair
to put into good shape or working order again patch the tire and it'll be as good as new

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb patch contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of patch are mend, rebuild, and repair. While all these words mean "to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective," patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

When can mend be used instead of patch?

While the synonyms mend and patch are close in meaning, mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

When is it sensible to use rebuild instead of patch?

The words rebuild and patch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

When would repair be a good substitute for patch?

The meanings of repair and patch largely overlap; however, repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

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 patch
Noun
The display features a tent filled with clowns, body parts hanging from a tree and a central pumpkin patch that anchors the display. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 While the software flaws have now been found and patches issued, the question remains whether enough of the internet will deploy the patches in time, before hackers start exploiting the vulnerability to attack websites and steal vital data. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
Some experts suggest unplugging any non-essential systems until they’re patched. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026 While Vision patches himself up from the Paladin fight and suffers through Ultron’s barbs, Paladin patches his own wounds and takes similar guff from his handler. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patch
  1. blotch
  2. speck
  3. repair
  4. dot
  5. bit
  6. fix
  7. fleck
  8. particle
Noun
  • Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark facial bands and gray or tan body patterned with black or brown blotches.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of blotch
Noun
  • Chips could be destroyed by even a speck of dust, so factories became impregnable clean rooms, their workers clad in bunny suits.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The source was generally in good condition, but mold spots and dense clusters of small white specks required careful treatment.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of speck
Verb
  • The California Department of Transportation has also secured millions of dollars in emergency funds to repair a massive crack that developed during early-October high tides on a slope below Pacific Coast Highway near Laguna Beach.
    — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Kleeb said the decision to back Osborn is part of a long-term goal, which includes repairing the damage to the Democratic brand in a redder state like Nebraska.
    — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of repair
Noun
  • Earlier this year, YouTube removed the dislike button from YouTube Shorts, suggesting instead that users take advantage of options in the three-dots menu.
    — Jay Peters, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026
  • That precision also makes the applicator useful for creating small, natural-looking freckle dots.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of dot
Noun
  • Topped with cream cheese frosting, toffee, and almond candy bits, this scrumptious pumpkin spice cake will be a winner at your next fall party.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Adding the 11-tap receiver equalizer increased the rate to 200 Gb/s, with the modulator consuming 63 fJ per bit.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of bit
Verb
  • And while Buffalo and Jacksonville can use the break to rest and recharge, fans in Washington and Los Angeles are hoping a week away might somehow fix what’s gone wrong.
    — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Tyler is still on the hook to help fix outstanding problems at the treasurer’s office involving property tax revenue payouts and distribution reports to local governments across the county, and pay out refunds to taxpayers.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of fix
Noun
  • In addition, since all this debris is moving at orbital velocity, a fleck of paint traveling in the opposite direction to an operational satellite can hit it at a speed in excess of Mach 47.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026
  • As few as 10 cells, hidden in an infinitesimal fleck of feces, can contaminate raw milk and trigger a fatal infection.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of fleck
Noun
  • In 2025 mCDR start-up Gigablue sold 200,000 future credits for a method intended to stimulate phytoplankton on mineral particles that later sink.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • That approach allowed the researchers to cover a larger cosmic volume with more particles.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of particle

Phrases Containing patch

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patch
patched
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Cite this Entry

“Patch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patch. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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