dotted 1 of 2

dotted

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verb

past tense of dot
1
2
as in flecked
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

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 dotted
Adjective
For an easy finishing touch, toss a dotted floral throw pillow onto your sofa or bed to bring in warmer tones and cozier textures. Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026 The dotted centers of the doodle-looking flowers were instead clusters of spotlights that could point in different directions. Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026 O’Connell Marsh will report to Andrea Scrosati, Fremantle’s Group COO and CEO Continental Europe, with a dotted line to Jens Richter, CEO Commercial and International, and will sit on the Global Leadership Team. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 31 July 2026 On one of the surviving Ottoman maps of Athens, it’s indicated by a dotted line, a marking that also indicated what is believed to have been a plan of underground tunnels below the citadel. Literary Hub, 20 July 2026 The United Kingdom’s queen consort wore a long-sleeve midi dress in black and white with a geometric, dotted pattern throughout the fabric. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 July 2026 Today, these dotted dogs are living symbols of courage, companionship and tail-wagging tradition that’s an iconic part of American history. Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 15 July 2026 But what is clear is that challenges remain ahead for Erik Spoelstra’s team even after Giannis Antetokounmpo signs Monday on that dotted line. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2026 But depending on what happens over the next few days, the Warriors may have actually gotten better if James signs on the dotted line. Nick Friedell, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Verb
The defining feature of the property is its location directly on the Blue Flag–awarded Glyfada Beach, at the base of dramatic cliffs dotted with pine forests. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026 Set behind Balinese gates on over an acre dotted with mature trees and lush gardens, the multilevel home offers six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2026 New Atlas The rides were in varying stages of decay, and there seemed to be a lot of orphaned carousel horses from other amusement centers dotted across the park. New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026 There is a telling moment during the latest, fifth, series of Welcome To Wrexham that shines a light on the art of leadership in a dressing room dotted with players who have captained their former clubs. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026 The Society was a sprawling campus on the Adyar River, its peaceful walking paths dotted with old buildings and gently unkempt trees. Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 Swim in the pool dotted with pink-and-white striped umbrellas and mountain views, then head to the docks for dinner at Batson River Fish Camp. Morgan Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026 Slices of Granny Smith apples—tossed with sugar and dotted with butter—sit on the buttery crust, lending a mixture of sweetness and tartness to this autumnal treat. Martha Stewart, 15 Aug. 2026 The narrative begins with a prologue in which a man mows grass in a cemetery dotted with twenty-four unmarked graves. Keziah Weir, Vanity Fair, 13 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dotted
Adjective
  • Pay attention to ordinary pleasures, like a warm bed on a cold night, a good cup of coffee, or a brightly colored bird outside the window.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Oyster shells—colored brown, gray, or white externally—have the roughest texture of the three bivalves.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Thursday’s off day couldn’t come at a better time, and there are more days off sprinkled throughout the final six weeks of the season.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Quail are sprinkled across it based on elevation and rainfall.
    Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Family, friends and neighbors filled the frames with dancing and dominoes; their apartments painted in shades of mint, butter yellow and palomino pink, flecked with a patina cultivated by humidity and time.
    Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026
  • Teal is coming out on top, with its mesmerizing mix of sea-blue and green undertones, as well as flamingo pinks flecked with iridescent shimmer particles.
    Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 18 July 2026
Adjective
  • Because spotted skunks are relatively rare in California wildlife rehabilitation centers and in the surrounding area, there were no other skunks of his kind available to keep him company.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
  • Normally, doctors can detect spotted fever Rickettsia lanei by performing specialized laboratory tests on skin or blood samples.
    Noe Padilla, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • There, sprinklers sprayed water across the track ensuring that our route, a coned course with tight, tricky curves and acceleration alleys, would challenge me at every turn.
    Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The seats are being shaken, water and scents are being sprayed.
    Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • After his death, Bob’s became the de facto location for fans needing to pay homage to the beloved director, piled high with tributes of cigarettes, cans of Coke, donuts, slices of pie and tear-stained letters of gratitude.
    Amanda Karkoutly, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • This means clearing out old backpacks and lunch boxes that are broken, stained, or no longer useful.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 17 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • In reality, EcoBirdy’s signature speckled finish is made from recycled plastic toys—a fitting second life for a table designed to be covered in them.
    Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 31 July 2026
  • Anglers often congregate at Eagle Point Fishing Camp, where the bay’s crosscurrents attract redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and more.
    Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • Moments earlier, Devers worked up a sweat as infield coach Ron Washington peppered him with grounders.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In response, the researchers peppered Copilot with questions about the guardrails that required user confirmation before the assistant could execute powerful commands.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dotted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dotted. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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