variants
also dapple
1
as in dotted
marked with spots
a dappled fawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in colored
having blotches of two or more colors
a forest that was vibrant with the dappled foliage of autumn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sprinkled
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 dappled
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
The living room is spacious, the dappled light in the listing photos is appealing, and the oversize windows offer skyline views down West End Avenue.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 13 Apr. 2026
Jazmine Hughes, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
The bundle is painted with butter then toasted on a flattop until dappled.
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dappled
Adjective
Planting in the wrong light Sun and shade requirements are easy to misjudge, especially as mature trees grow in and once-sunny beds become dappled over time.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
The living room is spacious, the dappled light in the listing photos is appealing, and the oversize windows offer skyline views down West End Avenue.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
The rapper, dressed in an oversized silk bonnet and Uggs, is marking the moves, but her dancers are performing full-out, their cropped halter tops and durags dappled with sweat.
—Jazmine Hughes, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
The bundle is painted with butter then toasted on a flattop until dappled.
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dappled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dappled
Adjective
-
Barça fancy the idea of signing Silva according to Mundo Deportivo, and the Portuguese international is eager to sign on the dotted line to don Blaugrana.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
If the ratio breaks higher, through the black dotted down trendline, the question of which sector has the advantage heading into the back half of 2026 will finally be answered — technology.—
Todd Gordon,
CNBC,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the Menil work, the central character is an artist brandishing a bouquet of colored pencils, surrounded by a seraphic tumble of monochrome extras that are her handiwork.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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The ones still managing to a colored dashboard will be answering for it.—
Yonesy Nunez,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The home was the true heart of our getaway; a space for quiet mornings spent journaling, for cooking together, and for squishing onto one of the many couches sprinkled throughout for late-night conversations.—
Aemilia Madden,
Vogue,
27 May 2026
-
It's billed as more than an e-reader, with full-fat Android 15 on board, as well as a bit of AI functionality sprinkled on top, and the ability to capture ideas instantly.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
Has anyone had success with these colorful callas, coaxing them to bloom year after year as advertised?—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
-
Summer lunch menus follow the USDA National School Lunch Program meal pattern, which includes lean protein, whole grains, a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables, and low fat or fat free milk.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Dishes of shepherd’s pie blanketed in smooth, buttery mashed potatoes flecked with cheddar cheese.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
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Heintzman also devised a hot brown chowder, with a cream and broth base made to resemble the sandwich’s sauce, flecked with potatoes, corn, turkey, bacon, and tomatoes.—
Rich Warren,
Saveur,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Data from iNaturalist users helps track the migration of invasive species, like the spotted lanternfly.—
David Pogue,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The resulting hybrid has characteristics of both plants but with softer spines than agaves and the spotted patterns of manfreda plants.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Not every paramilitary fighter is stained by the corruption of the Shia elite or implicated in spilling innocent blood in recent years.—
Nabil Salih,
Time,
26 May 2026
-
Nobody can resist a saucy, savory sloppy joe, but you're bound to leave a sloppy joe meal with at least one article of clothing stained.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Nail artist Monika Mayer used a swirl of pastel shades to create a marbled effect, then topped off the design with a layer of sheer pearl polish.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
22 May 2026
-
The lights are low throughout the space, and the dark colors on the walls and ceiling, coupled with the white, marbled bar top and gold accents, give Alibi an opulent feel without feeling unapproachable.—
Sarah Gilliland,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dappled. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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