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
Mark David, Robb Report, 29 Nov. 2025
Our next shot is a wide-field view of the world-famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, lit in gold with the light of the full moon shining from behind a delicate formation of dappled clouds, as captured on the night of Nov. 5 by photographer Thibaud Moritz.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 6 Nov. 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
Today, the 4,000-square-foot home still known as the Lechner House sprawls out over two floors with large windows that fill the house with dappled light filtered through the surrounding trees.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 29 Nov. 2025
Our next shot is a wide-field view of the world-famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, lit in gold with the light of the full moon shining from behind a delicate formation of dappled clouds, as captured on the night of Nov. 5 by photographer Thibaud Moritz.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 6 Nov. 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
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And when Bichette puts on another team’s cap and signs on their dotted line, the Red Sox will pivot again.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
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Cleaning up things, making sure everything’s dotted.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Opt for warm-toned lights to help your space feel extra cozy, or choose multi-colored lights for a touch of nostalgic ‘90s charm.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
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The Smashing Machine actor wore a classic black tuxedo to the awards show, while his singer wife wore a gold-colored dress.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Watson’s relentless dribble-driving earned him nine trips to the line throughout a night sprinkled with spin moves and tough finishes with both hands.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
14 Jan. 2026
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Topping a Salad Avocado often tastes great cubed and sprinkled over your favorite salad.—
Kelly Burch,
Verywell Health,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The city’s colorful outdoor food markets lay abandoned—the usual smell of ripe papaya replaced by the stench of yesterday’s scraps, rotting in the heat.—
Armando Ledezma,
New Yorker,
14 Jan. 2026
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This colorful, high-energy show loved by preschoolers the world over is raising the curtain on its second season on January 30, 2026.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This double-crust, old-fashioned pie may look ordinary on the outside, but when it's sliced, the inside reveals vibrant orange layers of sweet potatoes flecked with spices and sweetened with sugar and sorghum syrup.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
28 Dec. 2025
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Halcyon, a mauve tone with turquoise shimmer, and Nymphaea, a magenta flecked with pink and lilac glitter.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
6 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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In short, the spotted lanternfly is a moth-like bug that's not supposed to be in the U.S.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
8 Jan. 2026
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This photo, made with a remote camera and provided by the University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center, shows a spotted jaguar in southern Arizona, Nov. 2025.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The results will vary depending on the fiber content of the socks and how badly they are stained.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
13 Jan. 2026
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Chicken thighs first absorb a garlicky, peppery spice marinade stained with turmeric to accentuate the golden crust.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Katayanagi protégé Hiroshi Morito will helm the $350 menu of exceptionally marbled Tajimaguro wagyu in dishes like katsu sando, a taco course and traditional sukiyaki.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Troupe says the best way to spend a winter day is by sipping local marbled cold brew from Caffé D'arte in Pioneer Square and walking through Occidental Square to admire the holiday lights.—
Scott Bay,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dappled. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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