1
as in dotted
marked with spots
the spotted tablecloth clashed with the stripes on the wallpaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in colored
having blotches of two or more colors
not surprisingly, the white cow and black bull had a spotted calf
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in sprinkled
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 noticed
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 sprayed
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
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 spotted
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 29 July 2025
The spotted lanternfly enters the adult moth stage during the late summer and fall.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
James Peckham, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2025
Hudson was also spotted chatting with Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner Jim Phillips during the game.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spotted
Adjective
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the spotted lanternfly can cause damage, including oozing sap, wilting, leaf curling and dieback to trees, crops, vines and other plants.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 29 July 2025
The spotted lanternfly enters the adult moth stage during the late summer and fall.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
Verb
In emails sent out over the last couple of weeks, spotted by both Bleeping Computer and The Drive, the final class action settlement is also proving to be a complicated process.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2025
Hudson was also spotted chatting with Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner Jim Phillips during the game.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spotted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotted
Adjective
-
Examples include dotted prints, the flat-thong sandal and the color yellow.—
Chloe Veltman,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
-
However, satellite and supporting video filmed from a high rise on Al Rashid, a major road that runs through Gaza, shows tent camps remain dotted along the coastal road south of Gaza's port.—
Camilla Alcini,
ABC News,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
While diamonds account for the lion’s share of the Terre d’Instinct collection, Messika has also used colored stones for the first time.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
-
For a dose of history and architecture, head straight to the capital, Marigot, for a photo op on Rue de La République in front of the pastel-colored 18th-century colonial buildings.—
Essence,
Essence,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The trail begins across 89A from Manzanita Campground and scrambles through woods sprinkled with oak, walnut, hackberry, and later on, bigtooth maple.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Sturgeon from the Delaware River were likely fastened to a spit and basted with butter, then sprinkled with flour, nutmeg, mace, salt, sweet herbs, and breadcrumbs before being dressed in a tangy sauce that usually included anchovy, lobster, lemon, horseradish, and white wine.—
Victoria Flexner,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Those who noticed the quake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Oct. 2025
-
According to the Journal-Constitution, the Paulding County School District declined to answer its questions about how many adult supervisors were on the field trip and how long the girl was missing before her absence was noticed.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Federal agents responded with chemical crowd control munitions, including tear gas canisters and less-lethal guns that sprayed pepper balls.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Footage obtained by Fox News and photos by the Associated Press show two protesters, including a woman standing directly in front of a federal agent, being sprayed with what appeared to be mace outside the Portland ICE building.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The whole rug needs to get wet or colors in the fiber could migrate and result in a blotched look.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Its leaves are deciduous and sometimes white-blotched.—
Howard Garrett,
Dallas News,
16 Aug. 2021
Verb
-
If a toilet seat is stained, go ahead and buy a replacement.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
In his third season in Boulder, coach Deion Sanders continues to lament an issue that ruined his first season and stained his second.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The trees were cut down, sawed in half, hollowed out and tied back together for the musicians to use.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Fanatics shared the moment Tennessee Titans first overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward, saw Brady pop up on the screen to give him some wise words.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spotted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotted. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share