as in fleck
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
the clouds threw dapples of shadow over the eerily quiet street
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to sprinkle
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
sunlight dappled the canopy of vines over our heads
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dapple
Dallas News, 9 May 2022
Piglet is a Chihuahua-dachshund mix, with a genetic condition called double dapple that causes eyesight and hearing difficulties.
—Susan Dunne, courant.com, 29 Jan. 2022
Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2025
The vibe is classic supper club: jazz standards sweeping from the speakers, brimming bread baskets filling the tables, and vintage butter warmers with glowing votive candles dappling the room in soft flickers.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dapple
Noun
While out on walks in Dallas’ Uptown, people often stop Alison Roche to ask about her brown, dapple, floppy-eared dachshund.
—Dallas News, 9 May 2022
Piglet is a Chihuahua-dachshund mix, with a genetic condition called double dapple that causes eyesight and hearing difficulties.
—Susan Dunne, courant.com, 29 Jan. 2022
Verb
In my mind, that always meant at least a plane ride's worth of travel—me in safari gear, sunlight dappling through the canopy, and swinging vines overhead.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2025
The vibe is classic supper club: jazz standards sweeping from the speakers, brimming bread baskets filling the tables, and vintage butter warmers with glowing votive candles dappling the room in soft flickers.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dapple
Noun
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Its black and white or brown flecks convey a fresh, modern feel that's ideal for breaking away from the tyranny of basics.—
María Munsuri,
Glamour,
24 Aug. 2025
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Although other pests cause similar damage, thrips damage is often associate with numerous small flecks of dark green to black fecal matter.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Drizzle caramel over pistachios, sprinkle with salt, and set aside to cool.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
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The clinical nature of the autopsy report is stark against the remnants of Pauline’s humanity, sprinkled throughout the 11 pages.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
The Tennessean,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The public can be lulled into thinking impacts of a hurricane or tropical storm are along dots, lines, and cones seen on maps.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Even the smallest black dot of mold can affect your health by causing respiratory illnesses or triggering certain allergic reactions from breathing it in constantly.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Wood filler is the best choice for repairing large, deep gouges, but usually requires staining.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
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Inside the retro-futuristic Discoveryland area of Disneyland Paris, a full-size Star Wars X-Wing fighter sits on a silver and blue platform which looks like it has been weathered and stained from battles.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Now for other people whose crepe myrtles look like yours, black bark and white specks are classic signs of crepe myrtle scales.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
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There’s nothing worse than applying a full face of makeup, only for your best mascara to end up in smears or black specks across your face.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ravn’s prose is striking too, richly marbled with quotation and detail pulled from primary source letters and court documents.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
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While Edmonton Oilers fans focus on the famous veteran wingers who were lost to free agency, the organization is focused on a new-look group that marbles youth, experience and the unknown in hopes of adding speed and goals.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Gopher snakes tend to be tan-colored with large square brown blotches or saddles along their backs and smaller gray spots on their sides.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The baby was purple-gray-colored, in blotches; wet, smeared in blood and what looked like whitish wax.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 July 2025
Verb
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As Emmy celebrations peppered the town on Saturday night, a starkly differently occasion left attendees shaken, tearful and reminded of the immersive power of cinema.—
Stacey Wilson Hunt,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Sep. 2025
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Whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dapple. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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