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
Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025
With the doors flung open and sun dappling the eclectic interiors, Ngoc Minh Ngo’s photos really convey the easy-breezy quality of summer life for the lucky family.
—Amy Astley, Architectural Digest, 28 May 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
Ultra-suede walls are dappled with pink and black paisley.
—Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025
With the doors flung open and sun dappling the eclectic interiors, Ngoc Minh Ngo’s photos really convey the easy-breezy quality of summer life for the lucky family.
—Amy Astley, Architectural Digest, 28 May 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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After years of the NBA largely being split between linear TV networks ABC, ESPN and TNT (with some NBA TV sprinkled in), the new rights deal will be far more streaming-centric.—
John Cassillo,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Raisins are also super easy to sprinkle on yogurt, cereal, and salads, and can find their way into baked goods and even savory dinner dishes like pasta.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Ariana Grande Makes a Last-Minute Entrance Ariana Grande — who was channeling Audrey Hepburn in a black custom Fendi dress covered in white polka-dots — arrived moments before the MTV VMAs started airing live.—
Stacy Lambe,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Others say the dot of dark red grease that floats on top of a bowl of this gravy resembles an eye, a bit like a swirling hurricane eye.—
Sheri Castle,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Any home cleaning product can cause staining and shrinking.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
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Address any spills in your sink right away to reduce the opportunity for staining.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The cold gave us the sense of being a tiny little speck in this big city, and then of going through a door into a warm space with twelve other musicians.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
4 Sep. 2025
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The waterfront spread near the northern Indiana town of Culver is listed for a speck under $20 million with Andrea Kelly of Encore Sotheby’s International Realty.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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Original price: $109.99 Get Crocs' signature marbled look in a sneaker version with the Echo Storm marble clog.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 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
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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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The host Colombia was peppering the Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe with shots on goal from early on.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Familiar names pepper the script, but characters’ circumstances, identities, and motivations have been significantly altered.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dapple. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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