eyespot

noun

ˈī-ˌspät How to pronounce eyespot (audio)
Definition of eyespotnext
as in blotch
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part a tie having eyespots of blue on a light gray background

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of eyespot In a real feather, the barbs can flash the same blue-green-bronze as the eyespot. — Douglas Goodwin, The Conversation, 1 June 2026 The scientific name Actias luna, derived from the Roman goddess, refers to the moth’s moon-like eyespots. — Kai Coggin, Time, 16 May 2026 The eyespots on the hindwings are oval or round, according to the post. — Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2025 The team observed laser emissions in two distinct wavelengths for all color regions of the feathers' eyespots, with the green color regions emitting the most intense laser light. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2025 Peacock butterflies are distinguished by a series of striking eyespots on their wings, which serve to threaten or confuse potential predators. — Michael Franco, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2024 But why did some lineages evolve shell eyes rather than eyespots? — Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 First, red eyespots appear; then the amorphous bodies coalesce and darken into their ferocious adult forms. — Nala Rogers, Popular Mechanics, 9 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eyespot
  1. blotch
  2. dot
  3. speck
  4. patch
  5. fleck
Noun
  • Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark facial bands and gray or tan body patterned with black or brown blotches.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of blotch
Noun
  • Venus and Mercury also make several appearances as large, bright white dots crossing from either side.
    — Damien Pine, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Newspapers and books also joined the dots between apparently disconnected events and items of gossip, helping readers to see their problems in abstract, systemic and political terms.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of dot
Noun
  • The source was generally in good condition, but mold spots and dense clusters of small white specks required careful treatment.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Breakouts can look like milder, painless white bumps or dark specks known as whiteheads and blackheads, or more painful red bumps and deeper cysts — a mark of cystic acne.
    — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of speck
Noun
  • People with plaque psoriasis fight a constant battle with painful, flaky patches that can appear on some of the most visible parts of the skin.
    — Alice Park, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • By noon the sky seemed lighter, but a fresh wind kept patches of dust swirling in the street.
    — Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of patch
Noun
  • As few as 10 cells, hidden in an infinitesimal fleck of feces, can contaminate raw milk and trigger a fatal infection.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The oversized jacket featured a furry white base adorned with flecks of silver, which beautifully mirrored the sumptuous coats on the runway.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of fleck

Browse Nearby Words

eyesores
eyespot
eyespots
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eyespot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eyespot. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on eyespot

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about eyespot

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