mottle 1 of 2

noun

ˈmä-tᵊl How to pronounce mottle (audio)
Definition of mottlenext
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

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mottle

2 of 2

verb

as in to sprinkle
to mark with small spots especially unevenly old papers that were mottled by mold

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Noun
Turn the mottle of ideas in your head into coherent communicable paragraphs. — New Atlas, 23 Jan. 2026 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
Verb
The foliage is typically mottled with silvery or light green variegation. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 May 2026 The air rang with random alarms; the soft surfaces were mottled with mystery stains. — Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mottle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mottle
  1. blotch
  2. sprinkle
  3. fleck
  4. dot
  5. patch
  6. stain
  7. speck
  8. pepper
Noun
  • The next morning, a galaxy of itchy red bumps and blotches stretched from my shoulder to my hip.
    — Ben Crair, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
  • Verticillium wilt causes similar blotches and yellowing.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
Definition of blotch
Verb
  • Never dump soil in large clumps in the garden; instead, sprinkle it thinly and evenly.
    — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Warren Buffett went long in his annual letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders—often 10,000-plus words, deep on the year’s lessons and the company’s results, sprinkled with folksy wisdom.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of sprinkle
Noun
  • Little flecks of roasted sweet potato pepper the cake, and a tangy cream cheese glaze is a perfect complement to the warm spices and crunchy topping.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026
  • One image of her right knee showed flecks of blue plastic that prosecutors said came from an inflatable pool Burke used to collect blood while dismembering her body.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026
Definition of fleck
Verb
  • Island Hopping in Indonesia Getty See the quieter side of Indonesia with a trip to Lombok, an island dotted with rice paddies and volcanoes just east of crowded Bali.
    — Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Before stopping at one of the many tavernas that dot the streets, squeeze in a visit to the Panagia Evangelistria, Greece’s most important pilgrimage church, located just up the hill.
    — Monica Mendal, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of dot
Noun
  • When the economy hits rougher patches, employers curtail hiring or tend to favor experienced workers, businesses lean more on technology to fill any labor gaps, and some consumers pull back on discretionary spending.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Reseeding fills in those gaps before bare patches take hold, which is also crucial because bare soil serves as prime real estate for weeds looking to move in uncontested.
    — Amanda Tust, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of patch
Verb
  • Incomplete, broken, and damaged or stained items and clothing should be thrown out.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 11 Aug. 2026
  • On the floor were six cots and a couple of mattresses, stained and foul-smelling.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of stain
Noun
  • For millions of people with geographic atrophy, the speck in their vision is far more literal and can eventually lead to blindness.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Pay close attention to where leaves meet the stem, the underside of leaves, and within the petals for any movement or tiny specks.
    — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of speck
Verb
  • Six weeks after Beloozerov’s funeral, the FBI peppered Marina with questions during an hourslong interview at the agency’s field office in Washington.
    — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Thousands of architecturally distinct vacation rentals pepper the woods of Hocking Hills in southern Ohio, offering some of the Midwest’s coolest stays.
    — Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of pepper

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mottle
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Cite this Entry

“Mottle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottle. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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