DAPPLED Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

dappled 1 of 2

adjective

ˈda-pəld

variants also dapple

Definition of dappled

as in dotted

marked with spots a dappled fawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

dappled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of dapple

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

Adjective

To ease the demands of watering, consider moving some containers out of full sun locations and into areas of dappled shade. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026 But for the Tayler children, Lessing later recalled, life in the bush was a dappled, buzzing wonderland. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Verb

Charlotte Tilbury Products Used on Kate Hudson Makeup artist Tonya Brewer dappled the $36 Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer under Kate Hudson’s eyes for a crease-free base at the Oscars. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026 Windows with trees, hedges, or buildings partially obscuring the sun outside them may get medium light exposure, and the light may be dappled or filtered. — Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dappled

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dappled

Adjective

To reduce confusion, the top plate has a dotted pattern around each key position that can accept a magnetic switch.

— Francisco Lahoz, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2026
The black dotted forecast line shows the multi-model median whereas the surrounding range shows the 25th–75th percentiles.

— Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of dotted

Adjective

The viewpoint looks across Windermere and was once fitted with colored glass designed to make the scenery appear as though it were being viewed in different seasons.

— Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
Mailaender used different types of mirrors, geometric wall patterns, colored cork and linoleum, wavy steel and deliberately 1980s-style locker-room doors.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of colored

Verb

There is just enough wry humor—think Shaun of the Dead—sprinkled throughout to keep things from getting too grim, often deriving from Bryan’s cluelessness and general lack of skills.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026
Sheets of nori are coated with tempura batter and sprinkled with a togarashi-ish spice blend.

— Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of sprinkled

Adjective

Propped up against them were colorful large-scale oil paintings of orbs floating against blurry color fields.

— Ryan Sullivan, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
In colorful illustrations that are just as energetic and immersive as the text, Aaron Marin pulls the whole adventure together.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of colorful

Verb

The pillowy dough is flecked with cinnamon and crowded with tender chunks of apple.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Mikey Madison’s pink- and purple-flecked tinsel became one of the defining beauty details of Ani in 2024’s Anora, while Zara Larsson has made shimmering, maximalist hair a fixture of her Midnight Sun era.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of flecked

Adjective

Other invasive plants including Tree of Heaven, the host plant for the highly invasive spotted lanternfly, has been found in The Preserve as well.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026
Because spotted skunks are relatively rare in California wildlife rehabilitation centers and in the surrounding area, there were no other skunks of his kind available to keep him company.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

Definition of spotted

Verb

The prosecutor then showed the jury Daniela’s shirt, which the detective said was stained by brown decomposition fluid, and Julia’s clothing, including her underwear soaked in blood.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Dozens of arrests have been made but so far no one has been convicted in an affair that traumatized Mexico and stained the country's reputation.

— CBS News, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of stained

Adjective

The special inclusion this time were orca beans, a stunning black and white marbled heirloom bean that isn’t available for purchase outside of the PANTRi membership.

— Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Sep. 2026
Jam Crumb Cake Spreadable fruit jam ribbons through this buttery crumb cake, sinking here and there for a marbled look.

— Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of marbled

Browse Nearby Words

dapple

dappled

dapples

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dappled. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of dappled

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

adventitious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 2

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes