dapple 1 of 2

noun

ˈda-pəl How to pronounce dapple (audio)
Definition of dapplenext
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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dapple

2 of 2

verb

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

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 dapple
Noun
Gleaming spots caused by methane ice clouds in the planet's atmosphere dapple its lower half. — Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 17 Nov. 2022 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
Verb
The pale tortilla was dappled with shades of brown, toasty and tawny—simplicity, done superlatively. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 3 May 2026 Charlotte Tilbury Products Used on Kate Hudson Makeup artist Tonya Brewer dappled the $36 Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer under Kate Hudson’s eyes for a crease-free base at the Oscars. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for dapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dapple
  1. fleck
  2. sprinkle
  3. dot
  4. stain
  5. speck
  6. marble
  7. blotch
  8. pepper
Noun
  • Light streams through the frosted glass, catching flecks of dust.
    — Ashley Andreou, STAT, 22 June 2026
  • But flecks of green were visible throughout the stadium as Algeria fans made their presence known as well.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
Definition of fleck
Verb
  • Wellness is also sprinkled throughout the stay in other ways outside of Thistle, like the welcome ritual and the nightly turndown service.
    — Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026
  • Top with half of the tomatoes and sprinkle with half of the brown sugar, bacon, and onion.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Definition of sprinkle
Noun
  • The last time stocks were this expensive, the Y2K bug consumed the world’s attention, Britney Spears topped the charts, and dot coms were about to crash.
    — James Berman, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • Instead of a smooth fabric, the material has a swiss dot pattern to give it some texture and the billowy skirt adds another layer of breathability.
    — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of dot
Verb
  • Buchanan, was responding to a burglary report at a Verizon store across the street and noticed a broken window stained with blood, per the footage.
    — Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
  • Waterproof surfaces like quartz or marble handle spills and splashes without staining.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of stain
Noun
  • New York State created a Law, for an instant speck of time, going back many decades, in order to wrongfully ‘nab’ me.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • One released a chaff cascade—hell’s own monsoon manifesting as specks of light, sound, and EM pulses falling through the hanging garden.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of speck
Verb
  • Veining helps marbled white quartz countertops adopt the look of real Calacatta marble.
    — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 June 2026
  • To create marbling, run a table knife (or wooden skewer) through the batters in a swirling motion.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 20 June 2026
Definition of marble
Noun
  • Verticillium wilt causes similar blotches and yellowing.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
  • Pine snakes can grow up to 56 inches in length, have black, brown, and russet scales with dark blotches along their backs, and are noted for having a pointed nose, which experts believe may help with burrowing.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Definition of blotch
Verb
  • On July 1, during a public meeting of Rosado’s Loop group, Robaina and longtime trail advocates peppered a half-dozen county representatives with questions about the project’s status, cost and funding sources.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
  • That tweet has been peppered by at least a dozen community notes that keep coming and going, challenging PlayStation’s assertions about digital adoption.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of pepper

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dapperness
dapple
dappled
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Cite this Entry

“Dapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dapple. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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