1
as in spraying
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on
a hillside dotted with wildflowers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in sprinkling
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 dotting
Umbrellas are dotting the viewing area as a Marine band entertains guests.
—
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
And some nail artists use a dotting tool or a thin nail brush dipped into the thick gel to fashion their dew-like beads.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 27 Apr. 2026
Along the trail, watch for wildlife, barns dotting the countryside, and scenic river overlooks.
—Robin Pfeifer, Midwest Living, 23 Apr. 2026
The crime scene stretched across multiple city blocks, with dozens of blue and yellow evidence markers dotting the pavement.
—CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
It's got summer charm aplenty with surf shops and classic beachfront hotels dotting its shore.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026
Clean Mirrors If there are fingerprints and toothpaste remnants dotting your mirror, grab a Swiffer, glass cleaner, and a microfiber cloth.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
To recreate at home, use varying sizes of dotting tools, making sure to let each layer dry before applying the next.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2026
Come winter, beach towns like this one dotting the Atlantic Coast stretch of Florida surrounding Fort Lauderdale have long brimmed with French Canadian tourists and other snowbirds who arrive for warmth and sunshine.
—CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
And some nail artists use a dotting tool or a thin nail brush dipped into the thick gel to fashion their dew-like beads.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 27 Apr. 2026
Along the trail, watch for wildlife, barns dotting the countryside, and scenic river overlooks.
—Robin Pfeifer, Midwest Living, 23 Apr. 2026
The crime scene stretched across multiple city blocks, with dozens of blue and yellow evidence markers dotting the pavement.
—CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
It's got summer charm aplenty with surf shops and classic beachfront hotels dotting its shore.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026
Clean Mirrors If there are fingerprints and toothpaste remnants dotting your mirror, grab a Swiffer, glass cleaner, and a microfiber cloth.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
To recreate at home, use varying sizes of dotting tools, making sure to let each layer dry before applying the next.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2026
Come winter, beach towns like this one dotting the Atlantic Coast stretch of Florida surrounding Fort Lauderdale have long brimmed with French Canadian tourists and other snowbirds who arrive for warmth and sunshine.
—CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dotting
Verb
-
The scene was chaotic, Mosser said, with federal agents pepper-spraying community members, engaging with protestors, raising non-lethal weapons and even unholstering their guns.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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Those incidents involved tackling and arresting a journalist, slamming a man to the ground, spraying people with pepper spray, punching a bystander and pointing his firearm at bystanders, according to the report.—
Selina Guevara,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Planting a clover lawn is as easy as sprinkling topsoil over an even distribution of seeds, followed by watering.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Fort Worth Aviation Museum suffered damages on every single plane at their facility, and hail broke through their exhibit building, sprinkling insulation onto the entire gallery.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Dosunmu filled the bill, peppering the Nuggets with floaters, drives and 3s to carry the Minnesota offense.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Fragrant blooms cover plants in spring, with repeat blooming through summer and fall, peppering the air with their distinctive clove-like scent.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Once the structure is built, consider painting or staining the wood to both ensure the material's long-term integrity and enhance the overall look.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2026
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Porcelain options tend to resist staining better than other materials.—
K.H. Koehler,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dotting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dotting. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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