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
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025
Two seconds, three, all of us immobilized in shock while my son, the toddler, went down like a ship’s anchor, all the way down through nine feet of water to the dappled sloping bottom.
—T. Coraghessan Boyle, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Rick Jervis, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
The stage, covered in a crumbling cityscape and backed by a massive screen, sat next to a cross-shaped catwalk on the stadium floor dappled with giant golden rings.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dappled
Adjective
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
Two seconds, three, all of us immobilized in shock while my son, the toddler, went down like a ship’s anchor, all the way down through nine feet of water to the dappled sloping bottom.
—T. Coraghessan Boyle, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
Dried blood dappled his face, neck and bedsheets.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
The stage, covered in a crumbling cityscape and backed by a massive screen, sat next to a cross-shaped catwalk on the stadium floor dappled with giant golden rings.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dappled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dappled
Adjective
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This reversible quilt has a hint of floral romance on one side and a more minimalist dotted print on the other.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
9 Oct. 2025
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Examples include dotted prints, the flat-thong sandal and the color yellow.—
Chloe Veltman,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The nutmeg-colored upholstery and bucket seats were shot.—
Laura Lane,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
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The Guerida line nodding to private estate La Querida and its white façades, emerald green lawns and ocean views offered a more naïve take on the colored theme by mean of hearts and floral motifs juxtaposed in a ring, bracelet and pendant earrings.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The trail begins across 89A from Manzanita Campground and scrambles through woods sprinkled with oak, walnut, hackberry, and later on, bigtooth maple.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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Sturgeon from the Delaware River were likely fastened to a spit and basted with butter, then sprinkled with flour, nutmeg, mace, salt, sweet herbs, and breadcrumbs before being dressed in a tangy sauce that usually included anchovy, lobster, lemon, horseradish, and white wine.—
Victoria Flexner,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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It was filled with two-page illustrations of long necks and sweeping ochre landscapes, with clever reptilian faces and sinuous tails, orange and green and flecked in black.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
8 Oct. 2025
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The gold and silver flecked branches work with any type of holiday decor and are ultra-reflective to provide the most brightness.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Grand Slam winners get a colorful Grand Slam Award sticker.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Oct. 2025
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Hipp evokes an opulent playhouse, with a bold palette, swathes of rich velvet, and plenty of colorful art.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Wood floors that have been stained in interesting patterns create a sense of architecture and rhythm, bridge traditional elements with modern ones, and can even help a space feel larger.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2025
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If a toilet seat is stained, go ahead and buy a replacement.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The whole rug needs to get wet or colors in the fiber could migrate and result in a blotched look.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
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Its leaves are deciduous and sometimes white-blotched.—
Howard Garrett,
Dallas News,
16 Aug. 2021
Verb
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Created by James Beard Award winner and Bottega’s former pastry chef, Dolester Miles, the cake itself is speckled with ground pecans, which add texture and sweetness, which are brushed with simple syrup.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
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Gerwig, 42, returned to Venice in a black dress with a sheer black overlay speckled with glittering flowers.—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dappled. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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