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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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
Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 19 Feb. 2026
The West Saguaro National Park, Arizona Stargazers can snag multiple planetary views from Saguaro National Park, with the sky dots visible above the distant Tucson peaks.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 18 Feb. 2026
Paint on five dots in your accent color and then a sixth in your base color in the center.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026
There were these two dots that were on the boys’ cheeks.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
In 1981, when young men started dying of strange infections, there was no surveillance system to connect the dots.
—Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
The dots were pretty easy to connect.
—Sam McDowell February 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Speaking of connecting dots, Carr is another player with links to the Jets coaching staff.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
Rather than walking through roles chronologically, strong career storytellers connect the dots.
—Ashley Herd, Fortune, 11 Feb. 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
Multicolor microstones, iridescent dots, and sparkle clusters are scattered over a sheer, neutral base for an effect that feels fun and celebratory, but not busy.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 19 Feb. 2026
The West Saguaro National Park, Arizona Stargazers can snag multiple planetary views from Saguaro National Park, with the sky dots visible above the distant Tucson peaks.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 18 Feb. 2026
Paint on five dots in your accent color and then a sixth in your base color in the center.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026
There were these two dots that were on the boys’ cheeks.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
In 1981, when young men started dying of strange infections, there was no surveillance system to connect the dots.
—Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
The dots were pretty easy to connect.
—Sam McDowell February 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Speaking of connecting dots, Carr is another player with links to the Jets coaching staff.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
Rather than walking through roles chronologically, strong career storytellers connect the dots.
—Ashley Herd, Fortune, 11 Feb. 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
-
That, plus distinct green (herbs) and black (pepper) flecks, made this contender feel higher-end, inspiring us to declare Trader Joe’s the best ranch dressing overall.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 Feb. 2026
-
As Dracula, Jones is giddy and joyous with flecks of depravity bursting through as the plot expands to include his ethereal bond with Harker’s fiancée, Mina Murray (also Bleu).—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The man asks for his Shalimar perfume, sprays himself and lies down on the floor.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Trapped in a prickly relationship with a cactus, his life changes overnight when Swift sprays herself with Opalite and is magically transported into his living room.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Tiny beads of blood had seeped out and dried into tiny specks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Also known as sunspots, solar lentigines, or liver spots, age spots are additional specks and bits of pigment caused by excessive sun exposure.—
Essence,
Essence,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The start is determined by a moon sighting committee in Saudi Arabia, and Ramadan begins the day after the committee spots the new crescent moon.—
Marina Johnson,
IndyStar,
18 Feb. 2026
-
For the first time, Anthropic spent millions of dollars on several satiric Super Bowl spots.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Its purple black center was surrounded by blotches of varying shades and textures, raised or sunken at places.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
-
These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot.—
Brian Bell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The piercing doesn't necessarily damage the trees, but their excrement, which is high in sugar, stains the trees and blocks photosynthesis, which eventually suffocates the trees, the researchers said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
This mixture attacks stains a bit stronger than the water solution.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dots. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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