as in colored
marked by a variety of usually vivid colors
polychrome pottery featuring designs from the American Southwest
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Recent Examples of polychrome
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 28 Jan. 2026
Its chandeliers are made of handblown Murano glass, its bathrooms of polychrome Italian marble.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
Coat of black silk satin brocaded with polychrome silk thread in a pattern of tulips; belt of black silk satin; blouse of white silk-cotton batiste; skirt of beige cotton-linen twill.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 28 June 2024
In the artist Eddie Martinez’s dense, polychrome paintings, each mark is haunted by the gesture that made it and each color seems to demand its own verb: The thick gray drips; a bright red streak declares; a daub of blue hesitates.
—Phoebe Chen, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Hudson’s Birdie shows up with suitcases full of rich-hippie clothes, including a mesmerizing polychrome swirl of a dress that nearly hypnotizes the other guests into a stupor.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 22 Nov. 2022
La Grande Dame is made of carved and polychrome wood that has been painted with imagery alluding to a rich tapestry of cultural references, including ancient folklore, witchcraft, and an Egyptian creation myth.
—Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Adjective
In Morrisania, Alexander Gorlin’s polychrome supportive-housing center, El Borinquen, exudes a salsa vibe in a Corbusian frame.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 28 Jan. 2026
Its chandeliers are made of handblown Murano glass, its bathrooms of polychrome Italian marble.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
Coat of black silk satin brocaded with polychrome silk thread in a pattern of tulips; belt of black silk satin; blouse of white silk-cotton batiste; skirt of beige cotton-linen twill.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 28 June 2024
In the artist Eddie Martinez’s dense, polychrome paintings, each mark is haunted by the gesture that made it and each color seems to demand its own verb: The thick gray drips; a bright red streak declares; a daub of blue hesitates.
—Phoebe Chen, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Hudson’s Birdie shows up with suitcases full of rich-hippie clothes, including a mesmerizing polychrome swirl of a dress that nearly hypnotizes the other guests into a stupor.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 22 Nov. 2022
La Grande Dame is made of carved and polychrome wood that has been painted with imagery alluding to a rich tapestry of cultural references, including ancient folklore, witchcraft, and an Egyptian creation myth.
—Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polychrome
Adjective
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Small balconies glance upon the terracotta-and-lemon-colored canal homes, a picturesque way to start each day with a little caffè.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
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The Seahawks are now the third team in a row to win the Super Bowl in colored jerseys.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The marbling effect of this manicure aggregates the polish at the tip of each nail, but diffuses the border of the nail tips and pulls the color down towards the base in a watercolor style.—
Sunnah Rasheed,
InStyle,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Prime rib is a desirable cut of beef, known for its rich flavor and marbling from fat.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The role of colder, drier air Seasonal changes in the atmosphere can also affect how colorful sunrises and sunsets appear.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Guests crunch through colorful seasonal salads, sip from an expansive wine list and dig into chef Alan Sternberg's inventive pasta dishes at snugly cloistered tables in wood and brick alcoves lined with paintings, books and even a handful of typewriters.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But Tariq’s body was already cold, and his skin was mottled.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
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Shiny and dark evergreen foliage is held aloft on strong, arching stems mottled with purple flecks.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The romance score varied only slightly across different price ranges, with upper-range establishments ($50-$100 per person) ranking as the sweet spot for an intimate dinner.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
11 Feb. 2026
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For all its ills, social media can also be an entry point for anyone interested in Chicago history and the city’s varied eccentricities.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In my two-level penthouse suite, for example, quietly floral wallpaper, gray-velvet sofas and armchairs, and patterned cream tiles with gold accents in the bathrooms made for a sophisticated, yet welcoming space.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Jan. 2026
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The institutions studied by political scientists do not exist outside ideology but are simply patterned instances of ideology—and if ideology changes drastically enough, the institutions change with it.—
Jason Blakely,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Adept anglers can fly-fish for them across the varied terrain of the property’s creeks or patrol the marshy perimeters its six Class A lakes for the coveted catch, as well as fellow trout—namely rainbow, brown, and brook–that often exceed 20 inches.—
Alexandra Kirkman,
Robb Report,
29 May 2025
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Suspended from the fashionable wooden arch are a teething ring, crinkly rainbow, rattle, mirror, and plush moon to promote hand-eye coordination.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
24 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Our knees were buckling, and mud streaked our legs.—
Betsy Andrews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Tears — and mascara — streaked her cheeks.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Polychrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polychrome. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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