dot 1 of 2

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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dot

2 of 2

verb

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
Similar to the show, the comic features a pair of detectives trying to connect the dots behind a strain of explosive deaths, and everyone who’s spontaneously combusted has The Beauty. Barry Levitt, Time, 22 Jan. 2026 Duke wide receiver Cooper Barkate entered the transfer portal overnight, and the dots are already naturally being connected between him and Miami. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
Most of the hotels dotting its slopes are surrounded by vineyards and showcase trailblazing cooking and the bounty of the volcanic soil. Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026 The practice rink structure is currently dotted with forklifts, building materials and other tools. Chris Johnston, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dot
Noun
  • But right now, nearly every fleck of AI folly that’s risen to the top has been utter dreck.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The remaining scenes draw on familiar teenage horror tropes, with flecks of fresh insight.
    Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Omar was hosting a town hall event in North Minneapolis on Tuesday evening when a man in a black jacket rushed toward the podium and sprayed her with a liquid.
    Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Omar, a Democrat, was calling for the abolishment of ICE and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign when a man sitting in the front row rushed up to her and sprayed her with a substance while yelling at her.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Brush top of crust with egg, then sprinkle remaining ⅓ cup sliced almonds over in a thin layer.
    Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • For powder, dampen the fabric and then sprinkle powder on each stain.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot.
    Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
  • Leaves may show blotches and mottled coloring and fruit may remain partially green and irregularly shaped.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • All of the familiar tropes are there, from the numerous pop songs peppering the action (including one by Phil Collins, just to remind you of Miami Vice) to the profane banter between the two main characters to the endless fights, shootouts and chases to the colorful villain.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Even as the snow continued to fall, Boston residents peppered the city’s 311 public service request board with reports of snowbound city streets.
    Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Wearing kitchen gloves to keep your hands from staining, knead 7 oz.
    Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • In testing on human teeth that were artificially stained with tea and coffee, the researchers found that a total of four hours of brushing showed visible whitening, while 12 total hours of brushing led to teeth that were nearly 50% whiter than those in a control group.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The company’s share of its agreement with California — $55 million — is barely a speck on its balance sheet; revenue for Alphabet, Google’s parent company, topped $102 billion in its most recent quarterly earnings report.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Volcanic specks mushroom up from topaz seas, like a real estate brochure for The Man With The Golden Gun.
    Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Twin waved at them, and finally the police spotted her hiding in plain sight, standing beside her neighbors.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Microsoft’s new warning was spotted by Windows Latest.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dot. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.

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