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
Relevance
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
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
Mary Winston Nicklin, AFAR Media, 20 Jan. 2026
Elevating her contribution further, a screen print of her horsehair matrix has been integrated into the sunroof to dapple the light.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2026
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
The former residence of Prince Roland Bonaparte, Napoleon’s grandnephew, opened in 2010 as the 100-room Shangri-La Paris, complete with a spa and sun-dappled pool about 56 feet long.
—Mary Winston Nicklin, AFAR Media, 20 Jan. 2026
Elevating her contribution further, a screen print of her horsehair matrix has been integrated into the sunroof to dapple the light.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dapple
Noun
-
Berber carpet Berber is a type of loop pile carpet with flecks of color.—
Faith Wakefield,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Using x-ray fluorescence spectrometry, scholars determined that the ancient off-white fluid was composed of calcite, huntite, and miniscule flecks of yellow orpiment, a highly toxic sulfide of arsenic that Egyptians also used in medicine to treat syphilis and malaria.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Scatter 1–2 jalapeños, thinly sliced, over shrimp, then sprinkle 2 Tbsp.—
Hana Asbrink,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Scatter remaining strawberries on top of batter and sprinkle with demerara sugar.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Your quick mind can connect the dots and name next steps, while kindness keeps the conversation light, productive, and surprisingly fun.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Sean Durzi set up the goal with a cross-ice pass, and Guenther scored on a slap shot from down on one knee, beating Dostal over the blocker from the left face-off dot.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
No more worrying about whether my teeth are wine-stained at dinner and no reason to feel guilty about that second (or third) espresso hit.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Then the wood must dry, then be sanded, stained and carved.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
A little speck on the metaphorical Southlake Carroll wall that’s been historically dominated by its eight-time state champion football program.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Learning how to apply mascara correctly can level up your whole eye look—but without the proper technique, even the best mascara can leave you with clumps, smears, or black specks across your face.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The marbling effect of this manicure aggregates the polish at the tip of each nail, but diffuses the border of the nail tips and pulls the color down towards the base in a watercolor style.—
Sunnah Rasheed,
InStyle,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Prime rib is a desirable cut of beef, known for its rich flavor and marbling from fat.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Her zapping turns her entire head of hair — not just a streak — shocking white à la Jean Harlow, and leaves an oddly-appealing black blotch on her cheek.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Its purple black center was surrounded by blotches of varying shades and textures, raised or sunken at places.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Goldeneyes were the dominant side to start, peppering Osborne with shots early and outshooting the visitors 12-5 in the first period, but struggled to handle New York’s push in the second.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The tech mecca has slowly begun to emerge from one of the country’s deepest declines in downtown retail, in part through a program that peppered the city with subsidized pop-up shops.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dapple. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
