as in flecks
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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1
2
as in sprinkles
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dots
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
Filmmakers, former journalists, brand creatives, strategists, and producers have been steadily connecting the dots between narrative craft and business outcomes.
—Jordan P. Kelley, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
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
Moments later, the pair connected the dots.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Throw out enough ideas without connecting the dots and the consequences can be unintended.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026
The long-sleeve top with a plunging neckline coordinated with a skirt and included the polka dot trend with white dots and a navy base fabric.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026
Black dots against the Krishna-colored sky.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 28 Oct. 2025
Rather than the stiff alien chitchat that dots his own screenplays, the characters in The Favourite trade the witty, venomous bon mots of The Great creator Tony McNamara.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
The $3,211 per month maintenance fees cover a part-time doorman and a fitness studio, while the location provides easy access to Madison Square Park plus all the shopping and dining that dots the area.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
No tin-foil hat needed to connect those dots.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
Filmmakers, former journalists, brand creatives, strategists, and producers have been steadily connecting the dots between narrative craft and business outcomes.
—Jordan P. Kelley, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
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
Moments later, the pair connected the dots.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Throw out enough ideas without connecting the dots and the consequences can be unintended.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026
The long-sleeve top with a plunging neckline coordinated with a skirt and included the polka dot trend with white dots and a navy base fabric.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026
Black dots against the Krishna-colored sky.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
Barnett dots up Knight for a 57-yard catch-and-run.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 28 Oct. 2025
Rather than the stiff alien chitchat that dots his own screenplays, the characters in The Favourite trade the witty, venomous bon mots of The Great creator Tony McNamara.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
The $3,211 per month maintenance fees cover a part-time doorman and a fitness studio, while the location provides easy access to Madison Square Park plus all the shopping and dining that dots the area.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dots
Noun
-
López reportedly found flecks of gold while digging wild onions, sparking an early gold rush.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
26 Dec. 2025
-
Shiny and dark evergreen foliage is held aloft on strong, arching stems mottled with purple flecks.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The warmer temperatures also mean ski areas have been unable to run snowmaking equipment, which sprays mist into the air to create snow in freezing temperatures.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
21 Nov. 2025
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If this is the version of Smith that sprays the ball around to his playmakers and threw four touchdowns against the Jaguars last week, the Raiders can hang.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Much like Knives Out, the movie takes a much more lighthearted approach and sprinkles humor throughout.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
15 Dec. 2025
-
The shareable treat features Galactic Brownie ice cream, fudge drizzle, M&Ms candies, and Halloween sprinkles atop a double fudge brownie crust.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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With the help of NASA's $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers first discovered the mysterious specks of light known as little red dots at the end of 2022.—
Charles Q. Choi,
Space.com,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Microcalcifications appear as white specks and may indicate cancer in some cases.—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Instead, each child interacts only with a sophisticated artificial intelligence, which peppers them with questions about everything from mathematics to philosophy.—
Niral Shah,
The Conversation,
15 Dec. 2025
-
Instead, the original body features a patina that peppers its exterior and is a point of celebration, preserved and maintained for true uniqueness.—
Peter Nelson,
Robb Report,
3 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Framed photos in one section of the hall document the city spots where BearLeek chef Harrison Porter takes his own mid-shift smoke breaks.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Past Orange County spots to receive recognition on Yelp’s annual list include Sushi Mura in Buena Park, Tama Sushi in Huntington Beach and Paseo at Downtown Disney.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot.—
Brian Bell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2026
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Photos show the Maratus australis spider, which has an intricate pattern of blue and brown blotches edged with bright teal and red-orange stripes.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This mixture attacks stains a bit stronger than the water solution.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Season with salt and lots of pepper and bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking often, until the turmeric stains the mixture a wonderful golden color and the liquid starts to steam, about 3 minutes.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dots. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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