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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dotting
Visitors were treated to a traditional lion dance, complete with the eye-dotting ceremony that symbolized good fortune and energy for the new venture.
—
Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
The area put on a display of yellow aspen trees dotting the mountains between evergreens, their delicate leaves vibrating in the wind.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Sydney in the eighties was sometimes called the San Francisco of the Southern Hemisphere, known for its drag clubs and bathhouses dotting a downtown strip nicknamed the Golden Mile.
—Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
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, 8 Oct. 2025
Sprinkled with strange roadside attractions dotting Nevada’s highways, Honnold’s new show combines exploration and culture to alter our view of the world, producers say.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
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
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
Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
The area put on a display of yellow aspen trees dotting the mountains between evergreens, their delicate leaves vibrating in the wind.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Sydney in the eighties was sometimes called the San Francisco of the Southern Hemisphere, known for its drag clubs and bathhouses dotting a downtown strip nicknamed the Golden Mile.
—Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
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, 8 Oct. 2025
Sprinkled with strange roadside attractions dotting Nevada’s highways, Honnold’s new show combines exploration and culture to alter our view of the world, producers say.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dotting
Verb
-
For tougher stains, Stein suggests sprinkling baking soda over the area and then spraying it with a mixture of vinegar and water.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
-
Geoengineering is one potential alternative, as ambitious projects could dim the sun by spraying particles in the atmosphere.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Consider sprinkling stevia over your oatmeal.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
3 Nov. 2025
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For tougher stains, Stein suggests sprinkling baking soda over the area and then spraying it with a mixture of vinegar and water.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Cheney fired a 28-gauge shotgun, peppering Whittington’s face, neck and chest with birdshot.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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Kuminga scored 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting, overwhelming defenders at the rim with his athleticism, and peppering in a slick catch-and-shoot jumper from the short corner for three points.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Remove any heavy objects from the sides of your tub, as these items can cause chips or cracking that can contribute to staining.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
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Additionally, these shoes are machine washable, so don’t worry about staining the gorgeous light pink shoes on your next adventure!—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dotting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dotting. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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