1
as in colored
having blotches of two or more colors
a mottled complexion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dotted
marked with spots
mottled leather upholstery that isn't supposed to look perfect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sprinkled
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 mottled
Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 18 Dec. 2025
Museum-caliber furniture and objects, major artworks from François Pinault’s personal collection, yards of colorful marble and bespoke, mottled carpeting add up to a sumptuous environment reminiscent of the home of a serious collector — and fiercely chic fashion plate.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 18 Nov. 2025
Ben Taub, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Shiny and dark evergreen foliage is held aloft on strong, arching stems mottled with purple flecks.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mottled
Adjective
Crowson also shot his first mottled duck.
—Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 18 Dec. 2025
Museum-caliber furniture and objects, major artworks from François Pinault’s personal collection, yards of colorful marble and bespoke, mottled carpeting add up to a sumptuous environment reminiscent of the home of a serious collector — and fiercely chic fashion plate.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 18 Nov. 2025
Verb
But Tariq’s body was already cold, and his skin was mottled.
—Ben Taub, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Shiny and dark evergreen foliage is held aloft on strong, arching stems mottled with purple flecks.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mottled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mottled
Adjective
-
Relieved of their blindfolds, the men now wore heavy rucksacks filled with colored rocks representing their anger (red), guilt and shame (black), and sadness (blue).—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The woman saw a dark-colored sedan pull away from the scene.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Another six dead roaches dotted kitchen area light shields.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Moss wore a black, semi-sheer polka-dot blouse featuring delicate, dotted-mesh fabric that revealed a glimpse of skin underneath.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Plentiful other allusions suggest the wait may not be too painful; the long breadcrumb trail, sprinkled throughout 2025, gives the impression OR3 is just waiting to burst out of her.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
23 Mar. 2026
-
And while there have always been casual Caribbean restaurants and mom-and-pops sprinkled about—until quite recently, fine dining from the region wasn’t really a thing.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The wagyu, eringi mushroom and yuzu maki rolls are perhaps the most inventive dish; topped with a sliver of marbled Japanese beef, each morsel tastes like a bite-size burger.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
12 Mar. 2026
-
To make this unique cheese, cheddar curds are mixed with Irish porter, which gives the cheese its distinct marbled appearance plus a roasted, malty taste.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Seven native rattlesnake species are in California, including the Mojave, Western diamondback, red diamond, Southern Pacific, Northern Pacific, Great Basin, and the speckled rattlesnake.—
Jasmine Mendez
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The casing comes in the same colors with a speckled effect made from the Volt color.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Phillipe’s teeth were often as wine-stained as his customers’.—
Sammy Loren,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
-
His hands were stained navy blue.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The whole rug needs to get wet or colors in the fiber could migrate and result in a blotched look.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Its leaves are deciduous and sometimes white-blotched.—
Howard Garrett,
Dallas News,
16 Aug. 2021
Verb
-
The biscuits, flecked with frilly sprigs of dill, are pulled together with sour cream, giving them tenderness and a mild tang.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Locked in a safe on her desk at Boston University’s Institute for Astrophysical Research is a shard of meteorite flecked with material older than the sun.—
James Dinneen,
Quanta Magazine,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mottled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottled. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
