as in blotch
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
canvases covered with streaks and mottles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 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
New York Times, 25 July 2025
The color is an almost transparent antique and shiny garnet; the nose delivers delicate floral scents of violet and rose petal that take on spicy and balsamic mottling with age.
—Elisabetta Tosi, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
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
The parrot’s feathers are a bright gilded green mottled with black, and its life span is comparable to that of a human.
—New York Times, 25 July 2025
The color is an almost transparent antique and shiny garnet; the nose delivers delicate floral scents of violet and rose petal that take on spicy and balsamic mottling with age.
—Elisabetta Tosi, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mottle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mottle
Noun
-
These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot.—
Brian Bell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Leaves may show blotches and mottled coloring and fruit may remain partially green and irregularly shaped.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Brush top of crust with egg, then sprinkle remaining ⅓ cup sliced almonds over in a thin layer.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
For powder, dampen the fabric and then sprinkle powder on each stain.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But right now, nearly every fleck of AI folly that’s risen to the top has been utter dreck.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The remaining scenes draw on familiar teenage horror tropes, with flecks of fresh insight.—
Natalia Winkelman,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cooper Flagg jerseys dotted the arena.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Kenneth Cole Classic Wool Walker Coat The three-button closure dotting the collar of this Kenneth Cole coat is unique yet totally timeless.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As Girl Scouts moved around the room at the Miami Gardens community center this past week, some had vests with more than 100 badges and patches to signify their accomplishments.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The 2026 Super Bowl teams will wear patches celebrating the United States’s 250th birthday on their jerseys during the game.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Wearing kitchen gloves to keep your hands from staining, knead 7 oz.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
In testing on human teeth that were artificially stained with tea and coffee, the researchers found that a total of four hours of brushing showed visible whitening, while 12 total hours of brushing led to teeth that were nearly 50% whiter than those in a control group.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The company’s share of its agreement with California — $55 million — is barely a speck on its balance sheet; revenue for Alphabet, Google’s parent company, topped $102 billion in its most recent quarterly earnings report.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Volcanic specks mushroom up from topaz seas, like a real estate brochure for The Man With The Golden Gun.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Even as the snow continued to fall, Boston residents peppered the city’s 311 public service request board with reports of snowbound city streets.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mottle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottle. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
