Thesaurus results for MOTTLE

mottle 1 of 2

noun

ˈmä-tᵊl

Definition of mottle

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

Noun

Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of blotch

Verb

Thursday’s off day couldn’t come at a better time, and there are more days off sprinkled throughout the final six weeks of the season.

— Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
These are small to large grasslands usually sprinkled with wetlands (glacial potholes) and set amid private farmland, which supplies the grain.

— Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of sprinkle

Noun

The soup itself has an almost lemon curd-like acidity and sweetness, and it’s laced with flecks of fresh corn and tiny diced pieces of zucchini.

— Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Amid his vast responsibilities running all the departments in the Giants’ front office, Zaidi still found the time to pore over MLB Draft League statistics and look for flecks of gold.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of fleck

Noun

Some of our favorite barrel leg pants actually accentuate the balloon silhouette or taper of the leg by adding darts, extra side panels, pleats, patches, or other elements that highlight the aesthetic element.

— Lucía Tejo, Glamour, 22 Aug. 2026
Similarly, on the level of physical reality, a hole in the road or a patch of ice can decide your fate.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of patch

Verb

Evander Da Silva Ferreira scored his 13th goal — as Cincinnati peppered Seattle keeper Andrew Thomas with four shots in the 24th minute — to give Cincinnati a 1-0 lead.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Ahead of his first game back at Fenway Park, local reporters had their opportunity to pepper Devers with questions.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of pepper

Browse Nearby Words

motorways

mottle

mottled

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Style

“Mottle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottle. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of mottle

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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