Definition of dotnext
as in fleck
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part there was just a dot on the tablecloth where the food had spattered

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1
as in to spray
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on a hillside dotted with wildflowers

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2
as in to sprinkle
to mark with small spots especially unevenly the practice of some chefs of positioning a small portion of food in the center and dotting the rest of the plate with sauce

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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 dot
Noun
By then, his pan-cultural reach could be seen any time a dot pattern appeared as a visual shorthand for Pop art. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 22 Sep. 2026 From the dining table below, where a young Charley often helped her grandmother fill blank planes with delicate dots, Caland could look up and see how far her line had taken her. — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
London/New York — The bars, theaters and restaurants dotting central London may not seem like a conflict zone. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026 Further north, as the moisture is squeezed out, streaky alto-cumulus and cirrus clouds will dot the sky across Central and Northern California throughout the day. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dot
Noun
  • Add the torn basil and process just until incorporated -- there will be flecks of green in the mixture.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Some kits include stone-like chips or flecks to scatter over the surface of the wet paint for a realistic effect.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The tragedy has shaken students across campus Across campus, vending machines that offer free Narcan – an over-the-counter nasal spray version of naloxone used to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose – have been emptied, WMC reported.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Many farmworkers who were interviewed, including Lopez, who was sprayed in the raisin field, said employers did not provide pesticide safety training.
    — Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Toner suggests to first sprinkle in the baking soda, then carefully add in these extra boosters.
    — Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Combine brown sugar, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the potatoes.
    — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark facial bands and gray or tan body patterned with black or brown blotches.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Television commercials featuring the likes of Alabama great Nick Saban have peppered college football broadcasts this month, and Cruz appeared on ESPN's College GameDay to promote the bill.
    — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Season with the chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper and pat the seasoning into the meat.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Hydrogen peroxide acts as a mild disinfectant that kills mold and bacteria and is very helpful for light staining.
    — Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Use only white, clear or purple products on your hair to avoid staining.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The period is 2006, when the golden age of streamable content is barely a speck on the media horizon.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
  • To make matters worse, the Houthis have captured new terrain in Yemen and acquired Perim Island, a speck of land inside the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint that better positions the Yemeni militia to intercept oil tankers.
    — Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • But those familiar with the story’s source material will be able to spot plenty of Jedi-adjacent references throughout the romantic comedy.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026
  • At the show, guests including Meadow Walker, Space Afrika and King Princess were spotted wearing a new collaborative Speedcat in all-black.
    — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dot. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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