variants
also dapple
1
as in dotted
marked with spots
a dappled fawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
Choose a location with six hours or more of sunshine daily, although dappled afternoon shade is perfect in hot climates.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Dried blood dappled his face, neck and bedsheets.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dappled
Adjective
Then there’s the beach club area at the stern, with a pool serving as the ceiling that delivers dappled light and a beautiful blue glow to the room below.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
Choose a location with six hours or more of sunshine daily, although dappled afternoon shade is perfect in hot climates.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
His skeleton is well preserved, his bones dappled with gooey-looking sediment.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Dried blood dappled his face, neck and bedsheets.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dappled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dappled
Adjective
-
Most of the back is covered in a dotted texture imprinted directly into the plastic.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
7 Nov. 2025
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In fact, each has proven to be a false alarm, as slowdowns in momentum have consistently led to new buying opportunities (as indicated by the blue, dotted vertical lines).—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
During this time, monarchs cluster together in packed colonies for warmth—in a good year, thousands of monarchs might rest on a single tree, creating a kaleidoscope of brilliantly colored wings.—
Chelsee Lowe,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
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Remember, a hard freeze will still damage them, turning them mushy and off-colored.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Other Latin artists are sprinkled throughout the categories.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
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The initial run of shows sprinkled 12 dates over the course of May 2026, kicking off May 6 and running through May 30.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Duran opened a colorful and fun new space in Elizabeth, accented with custom art.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Nov. 2025
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There are ski helmets and Stetsons, colorful Gortex bibs and brown cowhide chaps, floor-length fur coats and hip-length puffer jackets — and of course, ski boots and cowboy boots.—
Cari Shane,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Among the other standouts are Klimt’s Blooming Meadow (1908)—a sea of green grass and trees flecked with blue, yellow, and pink dabs of wildflowers—and six figurative bronzes by Matisse.—
Julie Belcove,
Robb Report,
26 Oct. 2025
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The first two discs are flecked with revelations.—
Will Hermes,
Rolling Stone,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The famed pastry chef shared a photo of 4-year-old Josephine striking a fierce pose in an animal-print dress, along with spotted ears, paws and shoes to match, in an Instagram post on Saturday, Oct. 18.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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Every inch of their spotted, streamlined bodies is designed for life on the move, carrying them across entire oceans in search of clouds of plankton and fish eggs.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Worn Plastic Containers Are your plastic containers stained, smelly, cracked, half-melted, or turning rough like sandpaper?—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 Nov. 2025
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The costume, which has made waves online, features Fox in a pink suit stained with fake blood, meant to resemble the former first lady shortly after the assassination of her husband.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Shuttled in on golf carts to a powder pink carpet, models, media and micro-celebrities mingled as staff passed out marbled Jell-O shots and macarons stamped with the VS logo.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
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This red marbled stone feels like an homage to Paloma Elsesser's spa-like bathroom.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dappled. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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