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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dotting
Tweens and teens not angling for a spin around the ice skating rink can hit The Hawk’s Nest, a new club with arcade games, a light-up dance floor, and non-alcoholic beverages, while the adults pick between the many bars, restaurants, and fire pits dotting the village.
—
Grace Bastidas, Parents, 29 Sep. 2025
Bare patches dotting an otherwise green lawn can be frustrating.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
Each drive offered us the choice to head down into the valley—in search of the elusive black leopard or to visit the hippos dotting the riverbank—or up onto the plateau where the chance to see lions, cheetahs, zebras, and elephants awaited.
—Rebekah Peppler, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2025
Her makeup included sparkles lining her brow bone, thick clusters filling her lash line and rhinestones dotting her cheeks.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Jim Clash Today the beach is tranquil, with hotels and restaurants dotting the shoreline.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The image is etched in black and white, except for the red blood dotting the protestor’s sign.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025
Rescuers were battling to reach remote mountainous areas cut off from mobile networks along the Pakistani border, where mudbrick homes dotting the slopes collapsed in the quake.
—Mohammad Yunus Yawar, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2025
Grace Bastidas, Parents, 29 Sep. 2025
Bare patches dotting an otherwise green lawn can be frustrating.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
Each drive offered us the choice to head down into the valley—in search of the elusive black leopard or to visit the hippos dotting the riverbank—or up onto the plateau where the chance to see lions, cheetahs, zebras, and elephants awaited.
—Rebekah Peppler, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2025
Her makeup included sparkles lining her brow bone, thick clusters filling her lash line and rhinestones dotting her cheeks.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Jim Clash Today the beach is tranquil, with hotels and restaurants dotting the shoreline.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The image is etched in black and white, except for the red blood dotting the protestor’s sign.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025
Rescuers were battling to reach remote mountainous areas cut off from mobile networks along the Pakistani border, where mudbrick homes dotting the slopes collapsed in the quake.
—Mohammad Yunus Yawar, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dotting
Verb
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Water soon started spraying out of the toilet and through the cracks around the door.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
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Drew Brees spraying 650-plus balls around on quick dropbacks.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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TikTok creators and influencers have been filming themselves pouring honey onto a spoon, or even on the back of their hand, and sprinkling it with salt — many opting for natural options of both — and taking a dose before heading to the gym.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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Common methods to combat the odor included washing the shoes and drying them in the sun; using spray deodorant; or sprinkling the shoes with an antibacterial powder.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the chastening 5-1 loss against Chelsea, Enzo Maresca’s side realised peppering Hermansen with crosses was a worthwhile exercise.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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The host Colombia was peppering the Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe with shots on goal from early on.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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It’s made with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, and it can even be paired with your favorite lip balm or gloss — without staining the applicator — for an extra boost of moisture.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
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As a natural stone, quartzite should be sealed to prevent staining.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dotting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dotting. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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