1
as in colored
having blotches of two or more colors
a mottled complexion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of mottled
Miles Socha, Footwear News, 18 Nov. 2025
Inside the old asylum, plaster peeled from mottled walls and holes gaped in the ceiling.
—Jen Rose Smith, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025
The Illinois skies are mottled.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mottled
Adjective
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
Inside the old asylum, plaster peeled from mottled walls and holes gaped in the ceiling.
—Jen Rose Smith, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
Shiny and dark evergreen foliage is held aloft on strong, arching stems mottled with purple flecks.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025
The Illinois skies are mottled.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mottled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mottled
Adjective
-
Opt for warm-toned lights to help your space feel extra cozy, or choose multi-colored lights for a touch of nostalgic ‘90s charm.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The Smashing Machine actor wore a classic black tuxedo to the awards show, while his singer wife wore a gold-colored dress.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And when Bichette puts on another team’s cap and signs on their dotted line, the Red Sox will pivot again.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Cleaning up things, making sure everything’s dotted.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The actress also sprinkled the note with humor and gratitude, mentioning that Reynolds had asked Matt Damon to watch the film as well.—
Elizabeth Rosner,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Serve them with ranch dressing sprinkled with black pepper and green onion to pack every bite with even more flavor.—
Holly Riordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Katayanagi protégé Hiroshi Morito will helm the $350 menu of exceptionally marbled Tajimaguro wagyu in dishes like katsu sando, a taco course and traditional sukiyaki.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Troupe says the best way to spend a winter day is by sipping local marbled cold brew from Caffé D'arte in Pioneer Square and walking through Occidental Square to admire the holiday lights.—
Scott Bay,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Hire a charter and head out to the deep sea, rent a kayak from Bayou Adventure’s Rental Kiosk and test the waters on the bay side, or stay on land and reel in black drum and speckled trout from one of the island’s two piers or a folding chair on the beach.—
Kristy Christiansen,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Even the linen neps, which give it a stylish, speckled appearance, are random, so no two pieces are identical.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The results will vary depending on the fiber content of the socks and how badly they are stained.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Chicken thighs first absorb a garlicky, peppery spice marinade stained with turmeric to accentuate the golden crust.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 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
-
This double-crust, old-fashioned pie may look ordinary on the outside, but when it's sliced, the inside reveals vibrant orange layers of sweet potatoes flecked with spices and sweetened with sugar and sorghum syrup.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
28 Dec. 2025
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Halcyon, a mauve tone with turquoise shimmer, and Nymphaea, a magenta flecked with pink and lilac glitter.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
6 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mottled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottled. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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