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
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 dappled
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
Sunlight Monstera obliqua prefers six to eight hours of daily, bright indirect light, diffused sunlight, or dappled sunlight to maintain optimal growth.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 Jan. 2026
Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Feb. 2026
The day was otherwise cheerful; sunshine dappled through evergreen boughs.
—Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dappled
Adjective
This hardy perennial grows in dappled light or full shade.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
Sunlight Monstera obliqua prefers six to eight hours of daily, bright indirect light, diffused sunlight, or dappled sunlight to maintain optimal growth.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
The bundle is painted with butter then toasted on a flattop until dappled.
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Feb. 2026
The day was otherwise cheerful; sunshine dappled through evergreen boughs.
—Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dappled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dappled
Adjective
-
Similar to the actress’s blouse, this Amazon find has billowy long sleeves, a playful dotted print, and a tie neckline that adds extra fashion flair when poking out from under spring jackets and blazers.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Cane-Like Begonias Cane-like begonias, known as angel wings, are known for their glossy, dotted, or hairy foliage.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Many of the buildings are painted almost like a salmon-colored pink.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
11 May 2026
-
In one classic problem, you’re given three colored pencils and a blank map divided into many regions.—
Ben Brubaker,
Quanta Magazine,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Apple Hill includes farms, gardens, orchards, vineyards, wineries and breweries sprinkled around the Sierra Nevada foothills.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
-
Sequeira sprinkled in a little easter egg elements into her outfits through the different timelines that nodded to Pennywise.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Turner, a colorful figure with a Southern drawl and rail-thin mustache, had pronounced views himself, often (though not exclusively) of a liberal bent.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
6 May 2026
-
Create a colorful and energetic ‘Bright Bunch’ bouquet using Suncredible® Yellow II Helianthus, Truffula™ Pink Gomphrena, and Sunstar® Lavender Pentas.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Dishes of shepherd’s pie blanketed in smooth, buttery mashed potatoes flecked with cheddar cheese.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
-
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
-
Look for bins that are not coated or stained with toxic finishes.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
On TikTok, short videos often show people traveling to Turkey to fix their uneven or stained teeth and transform their smiles.—
K.H. Koehler,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
The fabric has a slightly marbled appearance, which gives the jeans a more stylized look.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dappled. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
