as in sprinkling
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
sunlight dappled the canopy of vines over our heads
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 dappling
The ballpark’s roof was open, the sun still dappling the downtown Miami skyline beyond left field at the start -- a beautiful tableau.
—
Greg Cote
updated March 27, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
In my mind, that always meant at least a plane ride's worth of travel—me in safari gear, sunlight dappling through the canopy, and swinging vines overhead.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Greg Cote
updated March 27, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
In my mind, that always meant at least a plane ride's worth of travel—me in safari gear, sunlight dappling through the canopy, and swinging vines overhead.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dappling
Verb
-
Planting a clover lawn is as easy as sprinkling topsoil over an even distribution of seeds, followed by watering.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Fort Worth Aviation Museum suffered damages on every single plane at their facility, and hail broke through their exhibit building, sprinkling insulation onto the entire gallery.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Italy is not a monolith, but is made up of many tiny, charming towns, glamorous cities, and villages dotting the map along the way.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
4 May 2026
-
Traci Park won the Los Angeles City Council’s 11th District seat in 2022 on a promise to clean up the rising number of homeless encampments dotting the affluent Westside district.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Once the structure is built, consider painting or staining the wood to both ensure the material's long-term integrity and enhance the overall look.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2026
-
Porcelain options tend to resist staining better than other materials.—
K.H. Koehler,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dappling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dappling. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
