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patch

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verb

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
Katy Perry, Gayle King and Lauren Sánchez Go to Space and Back in Historic All-Female Blue Origin Flight While in orbit, Bowe held up a Bahamas patch, a tribute to her family. Brian Brant, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025 And the rough patches, your death experiences, that’s actually the treasure. Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
However, the bug report suggests the vulnerability was discovered and patched before hackers exploited it. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025 The federal agencies also advise anyone potentially vulnerable to ransomware activity like Medusa’s attacks to take several other precautionary measures — including checking operating systems and software to ensure everything is properly patched and up to date. Bailey Richards, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for patch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patch
Noun
  • But this season, the one with the 4-15-0 blotch on the calendar from late November to early January, there’s no way to feel OK about Sunday.
    Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The fish have white faces with a black blotch in front of the eyes, according to the study.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Now the Mediterranean-style digs high above Malibu Canyon have popped up for sale, asking a speck under $13 million.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
  • You cant be expected to clean every speck of dust in every nook and cranny.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And when repairing cars gets more expensive, so does something else: auto insurance.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Nasser had been largely repaired, but reminders of the violence were everywhere.
    Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Former Playhouse Gang member Shaun Weiss needed to connect the dots.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Wait to connect the dots after, instead of before, the hard evidence is in.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • With about 100 vendors, there is a little bit of everything here, from jewelry to pickles and hot sauce to collectible items like coins and comic books.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Perugini: Tell me a little bit about your whiskey journey.
    Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The city inspectors give landlords timelines to fix problems and can issue re-inspections, fines, penalties or even loss of rental permits.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2025
  • But most of what’s wrong with Recall is harder to fix Microsoft has actually addressed many of the specific, substantive Recall complaints raised by security researchers and our own reporting.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Made from 100 percent Donegal merino wool, the Finisterre Farne Women’s Crew Neck Knit Sweater comes in a choice of shades, all with subtle flecks of contrasting color.
    Jessica Macdonald, Travel + Leisure, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Normally, landing a star of Dončić’s caliber at such a young age would take every fleck of gold in the safe.
    C. Clark, M. Vorkunov and F. Katz, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The particles of baking soda are so small, they can get caught in the components and clog the vacuum.
    Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2025
  • It is recognized as the world’s most productive region for generating fine dust particles.
    Christophe Lavaysse, JSTOR Daily, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Patch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patch. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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