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
Instead of dotting the same black scrim, like pinholes in a two-dimensional theater backdrop, the stars were scattered through space at dramatically varying distances, a vast swarm of them filling every last corner of an even vaster, more numinous, and emphatically three-dimensional darkness.
—
Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
With rows of sash windows dotting a vintage red and brown brick facade, Anmer Hall is the picture of classic Georgian charm.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 16 Jan. 2026
Most of the hotels dotting its slopes are surrounded by vineyards and showcase trailblazing cooking and the bounty of the volcanic soil.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Burn scars dotting our state from Paradise to Pacific Palisades show clearly his failure to prioritize fire prevention.
—Brian Jones, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 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, 31 Dec. 2025
Partitions in the space were crafted using a traditional Japanese technique called Kumiko woodworking, alongside custom plateware from ceramicist Shinobu Habauchi dotting the 10-seat counter.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2025
By Nadia Lathan, CalMatters Fridge-less apartments dotting the pricey California rental market will soon be a head-scratching relic.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
With the same mixture and a small dotting tool, place four dots down the center of the nail, and then place three more on each side.
—Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 27 Dec. 2025
Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
With rows of sash windows dotting a vintage red and brown brick facade, Anmer Hall is the picture of classic Georgian charm.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 16 Jan. 2026
Most of the hotels dotting its slopes are surrounded by vineyards and showcase trailblazing cooking and the bounty of the volcanic soil.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Burn scars dotting our state from Paradise to Pacific Palisades show clearly his failure to prioritize fire prevention.
—Brian Jones, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 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, 31 Dec. 2025
Partitions in the space were crafted using a traditional Japanese technique called Kumiko woodworking, alongside custom plateware from ceramicist Shinobu Habauchi dotting the 10-seat counter.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2025
By Nadia Lathan, CalMatters Fridge-less apartments dotting the pricey California rental market will soon be a head-scratching relic.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
With the same mixture and a small dotting tool, place four dots down the center of the nail, and then place three more on each side.
—Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 27 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dotting
Verb
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The team suggests that this cloud may have been created when two planets orbiting J0705+0612 slammed into each other, spraying out dust, rocks, and other debris.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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But instead of prioritizing touching the paint then spraying the ball out to an open shooter, the Knicks have spiraled into iso-ball, over-dribbling and tough shots.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And also sprinkling in those moments of Keisha.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2026
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Or more like an Aromatisse sprinkling the scent of perfume around?—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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All of the familiar tropes are there, from the numerous pop songs peppering the action (including one by Phil Collins, just to remind you of Miami Vice) to the profane banter between the two main characters to the endless fights, shootouts and chases to the colorful villain.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
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The Hirons spent most of Christmas Eve peppering the area around 119th and Mission Road with signs.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Holevich adds that cleaning these surfaces promptly will help prevent long-term staining and lingering odors.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
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Foods like tomato sauce and chocolate can cause staining if they aren't wiped up right away.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dotting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dotting. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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