as in blotch
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
canvases covered with streaks and mottles
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mottle
Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2025
Remember to continue your daily sunscreen use to stave off more mottle.
—Katie Becker, Harper's BAZAAR, 5 Oct. 2015
Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024
Some skeptics of adding fluoride to public water are worried about dental fluorosis, which is caused by overexposure to fluoride and can mottle teeth.
—Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 16 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for mottle
Noun
As branching coral look-alikes, the cuttlefish splayed out their arms and displayed dark mottles to blend in with staghorn coral.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2025
Remember to continue your daily sunscreen use to stave off more mottle.
—Katie Becker, Harper's BAZAAR, 5 Oct. 2015
Verb
These spots stand out against dark brown backgrounds, mottling their typically beige or gray bodies.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024
Some skeptics of adding fluoride to public water are worried about dental fluorosis, which is caused by overexposure to fluoride and can mottle teeth.
—Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 16 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for mottle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mottle
Noun
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The butterflies themselves are nearly gone, but the ink has left three blotches down her arm.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
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Photos depict a heartbreaking sight, with Hector’s rib cage protruding through his weakened body as red blotches line his ivory and brown coat.—
TJ Macias,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Capitals are a veteran team with youth sprinkled through the lineup.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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Held at the Salle Pleyel, which hosts splashy awards shows such as the César awards, Hermès celebrated its pole position with an opening xylophone performer, followed by an eclectic series of films sprinkled throughout the presentation.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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For me, there’s nothing more disappointing in a carrot cake than one that is light-colored and airy like, well, cake with flecks of carrots in it.—
Carolynn Carreño,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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Plus, because of the wet look the pair have struck on, her color looks darker, too—interspersed with golden flecks and darker, acorn tones.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Facing Ramírez to start the seventh, López dotted a fastball down and in to the slugger, only for it to be called a ball by plate umpire Malachi Moore.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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Every April, Earth Day arrives in full color – parks buzzing with volunteers, corporate campuses dotted with tree-planting events, and social feeds flooded with stunning shots of mountains, oceans, and forests.—
Namita Gupta-Hehl,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The family runs a pumpkin patch and petting zoo, but Sheila is just a personal pet, Starr said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2025
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The majority of these bugs and holes never find their way into the public sphere before a patch has been issued, thanks in no small part to the bug bounty programs operated by the tech giants.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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With a yellow rubber glove on her right hand, Heintzelman picks up her finished creations and puts them, one by one, back into egg cartons, with the toilet bowl prominently stained in the background.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
People.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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If Bonhoeffer’s example is used to justify more far-right Christian violence in America, that would be another tragedy — and a cruel irony that would stain the legacy of a man who gave up everything to confront a tyrant.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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With five stores and a small online presence, Whim is just a speck in the vast retail universe.—
Ken Belson,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
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Having very high levels of fluoride can result in some erosion of tooth enamel, which can predispose people to tooth staining and can cause little white specks on the teeth, says Oller.—
Sherri Gordon, CLC,
Parents,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Without prior knowledge to Fatal Fury’s roster or storyline, many of the characters can seem somewhat stock — there’s a couple of tough guys with various fighting styles and cool jackets, and some cartoonishly buxom female fighters peppered in for some old school gooner bait.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2025
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Part of what makes the North Carolina mountains unique is the people who pepper the area with creativity and hospitality throughout their beloved mountain hamlets.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mottle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottle. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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