MOTE Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

mote

noun

ˈmōt

Definition of mote

as in speck

a very small piece there's not a mote of dirt in that woman's house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 mote Tiny bugs float in the sun like dust motes, and there are graceful flies large enough to require a runway landing. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 4 May 2026 Sunbeams through the windows illuminate floating dust motes—and, imperceptibly, microdroplets of mucus carrying the measles virus, expelled from an infected but asymptomatic child who is hopping and laughing among the others. — Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026 However, some bits of debris from the objects can exist long enough to plummet through the sky, ranging from dust-mote-sized particles to whole propellant tanks. — Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 4 Jan. 2026 There’s always a new speck of dirt, mote of dust, or lock of hair to clean up. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mote

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mote

Noun

Chips could be destroyed by even a speck of dust, so factories became impregnable clean rooms, their workers clad in bunny suits.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of speck

Noun

For example, two fluorescent particles positioned close together may appear as a single feature under a microscope.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
For example, homes can be made less likely to ignite with Class A fire-resistant roofs and ember-resistant vents that reduce the potential for burning particles to enter homes.

— Virginia Iglesias, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of particle

Noun

In addition, since all this debris is moving at orbital velocity, a fleck of paint traveling in the opposite direction to an operational satellite can hit it at a speed in excess of Mach 47.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of fleck

Noun

That cute little feral furball was mean as hell and bit, scratched, and ultimately abandoned the family.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Toss with a fork or your hands to distribute, then knead in bowl a couple of times to bring dough together (some dry bits may remain).

— Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of bit

Browse Nearby Words

mosts

mote

motel

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Mote.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mote. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of mote

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

quondam

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes