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
Bright hot-air balloons dotting the pale sky over a striated desert.
—
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
Also like many others, the surgery Nyong’o had to remove the roughly 30 fibroids dotting her uterus at the time proved only a temporary fix, with upward of 50 redeveloping in the 12 years since.
—Beth Krietsch, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026
Mass graves are unfortunately common across ancient locations around the world, with many prehistoric examples dotting present-day Europe.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026
In recent years, wind and solar farms joined the list, dotting farmland across the country and providing the nation’s fastest-growing source of energy.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
Among the upscale mountain towns dotting the Dolomites, fashion and fur have been cultural staples for as long as anyone can remember.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
For years, rapid growth has been reshaping neighborhoods across Austin, the continuing transformation marked by cranes dotting the skyline, road closures and steel rising across the metro area.
—Travis Webb, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
Sundance could anoint hits, dotting the industry’s creative landscape with unlikely blockbusters.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
With vacant storefronts dotting some of the city's most popular corridors, Miami Beach is rolling out a bold new strategy to revive its famed commercial districts.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
Also like many others, the surgery Nyong’o had to remove the roughly 30 fibroids dotting her uterus at the time proved only a temporary fix, with upward of 50 redeveloping in the 12 years since.
—Beth Krietsch, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026
Mass graves are unfortunately common across ancient locations around the world, with many prehistoric examples dotting present-day Europe.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026
In recent years, wind and solar farms joined the list, dotting farmland across the country and providing the nation’s fastest-growing source of energy.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
Among the upscale mountain towns dotting the Dolomites, fashion and fur have been cultural staples for as long as anyone can remember.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
For years, rapid growth has been reshaping neighborhoods across Austin, the continuing transformation marked by cranes dotting the skyline, road closures and steel rising across the metro area.
—Travis Webb, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
Sundance could anoint hits, dotting the industry’s creative landscape with unlikely blockbusters.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
With vacant storefronts dotting some of the city's most popular corridors, Miami Beach is rolling out a bold new strategy to revive its famed commercial districts.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dotting
Verb
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Next, the group plans to demand the county stop spraying along the Santa Ana River, which reaches the ocean on the south side of Huntington Beach.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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They’re also sold in a three-pack, so don’t be shy about spraying them on everyone’s hands.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For this method, Sokolowski suggests sprinkling baking soda on a damp microfiber cloth, then scrubbing the curtain and rinsing with warm water before hanging to dry.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2026
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This means there's lots of ways to add them to your diet, including blending ground flaxseed into smoothies or sprinkling whole flaxseeds on top of oatmeal.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Rams controlled the pace for the majority of the first period, peppering Hawks goaltender Connor Kotwicki with several strong shots.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
2 Mar. 2026
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The Portland Timbers came calling in January, and kept peppering Colorado’s front office with offers, according to Bassett.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Signature Round Deep Oven offers plenty of features that justify the investment, like its easy-to-clean enamel that resists chipping, dulling, and staining, a tight-fitting lid that helps circulate steam, and an ergonomic knob for effortless lifting.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Feb. 2026
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For a softer take, Kulfi Beauty’s lip staining oil in Caramel adds a warm nude sheen that feels both effortless and seasonally appropriate.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dotting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dotting. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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