1
as in specks
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 pickles
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 stains
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 splashes
a very small amount
had only a spot of stew for dinner, as he wasn't very hungry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in locations
the area or space occupied by or intended for something
the cat grabbed my spot on the couch the minute I stood up
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in dots
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 notices
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
3
as in sprays
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on
the TV networks had spotted reporters all over the state for the election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of spots
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
The Czechs and Swedes defended their home turf to claim two of the final spots in the World Cup field with victories in playoffs Tuesday.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Cities like Chicago — long a haven for Mexican immigrants with ties to families and a community — became landing spots for migrants from increasingly impoverished and authoritarian places such as Venezuela.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Kansas City received honors in categories like Cherry Warehouse Hotel and Margaritaville Hotel being named one of the best new hotels or Pizza Tascio being named one of the top pizza spots.
—Joseph Hernandez
march 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Here are nine spots that still have availability.
—Jane Godiner, Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar. 2026
Brett Sheerin, owner of Maui True North, which offers surf and kitesurfing lessons, encourages visitors to check water quality advisories before going into the ocean, noting many popular surf spots on Maui are registering high bacteria counts.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
In the fourth and fifth spots initially will be righties Jack Kochanowicz and Ryan Johnson.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
These are some of our favourite spots.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
With Dylan preoccupied, Greg heads to the bar and spots Cristle.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Anyone who spots Samba can call the dedicated 24/7 hotline at 07436 167401.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Anyone who spots Samba can contact the zoo’s 24/7 hotline at 07436 167401.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Searching the room for clues, Hole spots a decaying hand arranged on the shelf with the thumb removed and the index finger pointing upwards — to the fifth floor.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
See which spots advanced and how to vote in the semifinals here.
—Erin Munz, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 26 Mar. 2026
All-American Madison Booker thrives in the midrange, while senior Rori Harmon pesters along the perimeter and Jordan Lee spots up for buckets.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Across the room, Alex spots Mary, who is drawing people in effortlessly.
—Big Think, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
The staff remembered my name, asked about my day, offered insights about the neighborhood, and shared their favorite spots.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
The Czechs and Swedes defended their home turf to claim two of the final spots in the World Cup field with victories in playoffs Tuesday.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Cities like Chicago — long a haven for Mexican immigrants with ties to families and a community — became landing spots for migrants from increasingly impoverished and authoritarian places such as Venezuela.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Kansas City received honors in categories like Cherry Warehouse Hotel and Margaritaville Hotel being named one of the best new hotels or Pizza Tascio being named one of the top pizza spots.
—Joseph Hernandez
march 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Here are nine spots that still have availability.
—Jane Godiner, Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar. 2026
Brett Sheerin, owner of Maui True North, which offers surf and kitesurfing lessons, encourages visitors to check water quality advisories before going into the ocean, noting many popular surf spots on Maui are registering high bacteria counts.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
In the fourth and fifth spots initially will be righties Jack Kochanowicz and Ryan Johnson.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
These are some of our favourite spots.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
In the clip, posted by Juls Piles (@julspiles), the 21-year-old can be seen swimming away from a boat to retrieve her floatie in the sea, when her brother suddenly spots a shark in the water.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
With Dylan preoccupied, Greg heads to the bar and spots Cristle.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Anyone who spots Samba can call the dedicated 24/7 hotline at 07436 167401.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Anyone who spots Samba can contact the zoo’s 24/7 hotline at 07436 167401.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Searching the room for clues, Hole spots a decaying hand arranged on the shelf with the thumb removed and the index finger pointing upwards — to the fifth floor.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
See which spots advanced and how to vote in the semifinals here.
—Erin Munz, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 26 Mar. 2026
All-American Madison Booker thrives in the midrange, while senior Rori Harmon pesters along the perimeter and Jordan Lee spots up for buckets.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Across the room, Alex spots Mary, who is drawing people in effortlessly.
—Big Think, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spots
Noun
-
Keep an eye out for tiny brown or orange specks, especially around door edges, undercarriage, and seams.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Keep an eye out for tiny brown or orange specks, especially around door edges, undercarriage and seams.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the open kitchen concept, with local produce and jars of pickles on display for guests to touch, taste, and smell, makes going off-menu just as enticing—just ask the chef for suggestions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Megan Thee Stallion ‘Was Gonna Eat This Anyway’ Megan Thee Stallion, who was publicly spotted combining Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with actual pickles before the partnership ever came together, is a genuine fan of the product (and flavor).—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Designed with convenience and your busy lifestyle in mind, MY MAGIC CARPET rugs protect floors from scratches, spills and stains.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Our editors tested over a dozen shower cleaners to find the ones that are most effective at removing soap scum and water stains.—
Josh Feldman,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The dramatist’s mode is broader and brasher, calculated for the sweep of the stage rather than the close-up, with splashes of color and humor that can verge on camp.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Each one is about the size of a tennis ball, yellow in color with splashes of red, and covered in wart-like bumps, thus the name.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More service center locations may be added as the transition progresses, the USDA said.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
No mean feat, considering the brand’s first 24 hotels are set in remote, leafy locations that feel worlds away from real life.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Barnett dots up Knight for a 57-yard catch-and-run.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Rather than the stiff alien chitchat that dots his own screenplays, the characters in The Favourite trade the witty, venomous bon mots of The Great creator Tony McNamara.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Paula notices that every time her husband leaves the house, the lights in the home dim minutes later.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Shortly after arriving at the Hotel Providence, the narrator notices that the building is situated across the street from a church that once hosted an experimental theater space.—
Hannah Gold,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When it is finished, maybe a year from now, Bayfront Park will be the city’s front yard, a gathering place to celebrate culture and be dazzled by technology -- laser beams that shoot into the evening sky and a fountain that sprays 60 feet high.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Vicks Sinex Severe, for example, sprays an ultrafine mist that is less likely to irritate your nostrils with its residue.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spots. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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