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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
  • FluMist is also another option, which instead of injection form, is a live influenza vaccine nasal spray for people ages 2 to 49 years old and contains egg proteins.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Details of the attack in court document report Williams sprayed the man with bear repellant, struck him with a Chevy Tahoe, then tried to hit him twice more with the vehicle.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 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
  • Explore See latest videos, charts and news Members of Bryan’s band were also spotted in matching shirts, according to TMZ, with fan footage of the moment quickly circulating on social media.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Passengers screamed after spotting the co-pilot stabbing the captain, and the flight from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, to the Israeli city of Tel Aviv began a steep dive.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dot. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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