patterns 1 of 2

noun

plural of pattern
1
as in motifs
a unit of decoration that is repeated all over something (as a fabric) a coverlet with a nosegay of tiny pink roses as the pattern

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in habits
a usual manner of behaving or doing her daily pattern begins with coffee and a bagel every morning for breakfast

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in routines
an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity with her, everything must be done strictly according to pattern

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in layouts
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged many of the artist's paintings use the same pattern of a lone figure surrounded by a vast landscape

Synonyms & Similar Words

patterns

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of pattern
1
as in models

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in stripes

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 patterns
Noun
Shifts in weather patterns radiate outward to other regions of the globe like sound waves from a bell being rung, said climate and public health researcher Jeffrey Shaman of Columbia University during an El Niño media briefing last week. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026 But the margins and regional vote patterns could be interesting. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Payer policies change and clinical practice moves, and a system trained on last year's patterns slowly stops matching the reality of care. — Fawad Butt, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Moving capacity Satellites must be able to spot patterns, respond to changes and adjust their plans in near real time. — Martin Halliwell, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026 The new site grading effort is to redistribute a stockpile of dirt left over from a previous development nearby in a way that doesn’t mess with the existing site drainage patterns, according to the permitting website. — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Aug. 2026 Look for patterns and situations where your child is most likely to whine, and discuss them in advance. — Debby Waldman, Parents, 3 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, Uranus is the planet of disruption, innovation, liberation and the sudden developments that interrupt familiar patterns. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026 Math charts, for example, help children learn how to count numbers, follow the order of operations and identify shapes and patterns. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patterns
  1. motifs
  2. habits
  3. routines
  4. layouts
  5. shapes
  6. stripes
  7. figures
  8. rituals
Noun
  • And the motifs that dominated front pages and became ubiquitous on social media weren’t so much what happened on the court or pitch but how fans came together away from the stadium.
    — Leo MacLehose, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026
  • The influence and emblem of basketball was everywhere, whether through stitched motifs, graphic details, or the written across letterman jackets, cargo pants, and t-shirts.
    — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of motifs
Noun
  • Bieniemy was brought back specifically to establish an everyday expectation with the Chiefs — to re-establish habits that have slipped through the cracks on offense over the past couple of years.
    — Sam McDowell Updated July 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • Before moving in, talk about money The Gottman Institute recommends that couples talk openly about income, debt and spending habits before combining households.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of habits
Noun
  • His account of his incarceration, with its mind-numbing routines, gang hegemony and intermittent violence, is equally gripping.
    — Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Your poodle spent seven years in a puppy mill without a normal family life, regular routines, toys, training, or opportunities to explore the world.
    — Cathy M. Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of routines
Noun
  • The converted building with its red brick facade is favored for its large windows, multi-level layouts, outdoor terraces and ceilings that reach up to 25 feet.
    — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The residences range from two-bedroom homes to penthouses, with even the smallest layouts measuring more than 2,000 square feet.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 July 2026
Definition of layouts
Verb
  • Culture shapes the employee behaviors necessary to execute on strategies.
    — Rick Elliott, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The Central Solenoid at ITER is designed to generate a powerful magnetic field that steers and shapes an intensely hot, energy-producing plasma that looks like a cloud.
    — Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2026
Definition of shapes
Verb
  • Opt for scalloped French tips with blue fresco detailing, or stripes the color of the Tuscan sun.
    — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 26 June 2026
Definition of stripes
Noun
  • Beyond the figures, a scroll of social media or a quick scan of the girlies at airports and Pilates reformer studios in major cities will tell you that Alo continues to capture serious athleisure market share.
    — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Mundo Deportivo corroborates these key figures, while noting that Cancelo only has a year left on his contract at Al-Hilal.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of figures
Noun
  • Rice water rinses have been used in Korean beauty rituals for centuries.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026
  • With a millennia-old language, a culture all its own, and a penchant for unique dining rituals, the learning curve is steep.
    — Marti Buckley, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of rituals

Browse Nearby Words

patternless
patterns
patters
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Patterns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patterns. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on patterns

Nglish: Translation of patterns for Spanish Speakers

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