1
as in patch
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
in summer the white coat of the snow leopard is studded with brownish black spots
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in predicament
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
we're in a bit of a spot right now with our mortgage payments
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace
scandalous conduct that will forever be a spot upon the family name
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in splash
a very small amount
had only a spot of stew for dinner, as he wasn't very hungry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to sprinkle
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
to give the effect of sunlight on water, the artist spotted the lake in his painting with flecks of gold paint
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
I spotted both of them as they tried to sneak out the back door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in chance
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of spot
Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
Another 40 would sleep on cots at the shelter, and 20 more would stay in overflow spots at local churches, said Hannah Smith, the organization’s director of shelter services.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
Some planets — like Venus and Mercury — are inherently difficult to spot due to their tight orbit around our parent star, which keeps them low on the horizon around dawn or dusk.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Katie Langford, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025
Along the way, spot Himalayan ibex, Tibetan wolves, and endangered Himalayan brown bears.
—Rumit Mehta, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spot
Noun
All the sauces really kinda have that same body flavor, almost texture profile, with each spot just having their own individual identity to it.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
Another 40 would sleep on cots at the shelter, and 20 more would stay in overflow spots at local churches, said Hannah Smith, the organization’s director of shelter services.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Here’s where naming a Wall Street pro who’s a master of spotting where danger’s building may prove a hedge against a future calamity.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
Some planets — like Venus and Mercury — are inherently difficult to spot due to their tight orbit around our parent star, which keeps them low on the horizon around dawn or dusk.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The fire is mainly burning in spruce and fir trees, which is causing spot fires that contribute to the spread.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025
Along the way, spot Himalayan ibex, Tibetan wolves, and endangered Himalayan brown bears.
—Rumit Mehta, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spot
Noun
-
As Girl Scouts moved around the room at the Miami Gardens community center this past week, some had vests with more than 100 badges and patches to signify their accomplishments.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The 2026 Super Bowl teams will wear patches celebrating the United States’s 250th birthday on their jerseys during the game.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This year, however, my predicament has grown more urgent.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Owner’s Jail, to put it nicely, is the predicament of NFL fans whose team is owned by someone whose stewardship does not inspire great optimism.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
How much of a stain should that be for a quarterback playing a team game?—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
-
King says the technology can only be used with a ceramic material that's heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, and stain-resistant, like Cosentino's Dekton line.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Starfish Cay is the water play space, with a zero-entry splash pool that’s just right for little ones.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Add the carrot sauce and a couple splashes of pasta water, and toss to combine.—
Hailee Catalano,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Almost immediately after oversight of TikTok’s US operations changed, misinformation started to spread about changes to the app’s new terms of service, including those that applied to location sharing and data collection, Fiesler said.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Smith said a model incorporating all trade union concerns works at Fullstack Modular in Carson, for example, where workers benefit from, among other things, being able to work at one location rather than ever-changing construction sites.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Brush top of crust with egg, then sprinkle remaining ⅓ cup sliced almonds over in a thin layer.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
For powder, dampen the fabric and then sprinkle powder on each stain.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The theft wasn't noticed until a store employee saw that the entire caviar section was empty, which led management to check their security cameras.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
One game, Jordan Ross, his roommate, noticed that Jake was too late to rotate over on a double-team from the baseline side on a drive.—
Mirin Fader,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Omar was hosting a town hall event in North Minneapolis on Tuesday evening when a man in a black jacket rushed toward the podium and sprayed her with a liquid.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Omar, a Democrat, was calling for the abolishment of ICE and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign when a man sitting in the front row rushed up to her and sprayed her with a substance while yelling at her.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spot. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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