mottled 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of mottlednext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mottled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of mottle
as in sprinkled
to mark with small spots especially unevenly old papers that were mottled by mold

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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
Adjective
The shallowest sections near the coast appear bright aquamarine, the deepest shift toward cobalt or lapis, and a mottled turquoise fills the space between. — Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026 The tall block heels were rendered in translucent amber and black with a horn-like mottled finish, introducing a second clear element without turning the design into a fully transparent shoe. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 26 July 2026
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 mottled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mottled
  1. colored
  2. dotted
  3. sprinkled
  4. marbled
  5. speckled
  6. stained
  7. blotched
  8. flecked
Adjective
  • Highlights include a jewel box of a shop lined with wood drawers of glittering gemlike brooches, insignia, cords, and colored fringes; an embroidery and monogramming school; and a bead room for commissioning consultations.
    — Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Multi-Hyphenate is housed in deep oxblood-colored glass with silver detailing, part of a broader packaging approach designed to make each product feel distinctive and covetable.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of colored
Adjective
  • The black dotted forecast line shows the multi-model median whereas the surrounding range shows the 25th–75th percentiles.
    — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2026
  • For an easy finishing touch, toss a dotted floral throw pillow onto your sofa or bed to bring in warmer tones and cozier textures.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of dotted
Verb
  • References to Bond sprinkled throughout the trailer include Cage ordering that signature cocktail and packing a familiar-looking pistol, plus a gag at the end playing off Bond’s 007 designation.
    — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Try different berries in yogurt, smoothies, or sprinkled over oatmeal.
    — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of sprinkled
Adjective
  • Set the scene Upon entering, don't let the grandiose, atrium-esque, white-marbled lobby fool you into thinking there's an ounce of formality or stuffiness here.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Lastly, the sneaker’s marbled outsole has been given a glow-in-the-dark treatment — a longtime staple of Nike’s Halloween sneakers.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of marbled
Adjective
  • Tegu These fat, speckled lizards hail from Argentina and arrived in Florida with a hunger for eggs— alligator, turtle, tortoise and bird alike.
    — Alex Harris August 25, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Bred at the organization’s Beckman Center for Conservation Research, the tiny, speckled frogs have been reintroduced at several different high-elevation mountain habitats, including Bluff Lake in the Big Bear Valley.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of speckled
Verb
  • The Lincoln, the length of its hull stained by rust from the extended time at sea, pulled into the port of Laem Chabang, not far from the city of Pattaya, a prime destination for US military rest-and-relaxation visits since the Vietnam War.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The white cocoons are torn through and stained with yellow-brown secretions.
    — Jonathan Flint, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of stained
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
Definition of blotched
Verb
  • The creamy consistency gives the pie a dreamy texture, with little pops of crunch from the passionfruit seeds flecked throughout the custard.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Family, friends and neighbors filled the frames with dancing and dominoes; their apartments painted in shades of mint, butter yellow and palomino pink, flecked with a patina cultivated by humidity and time.
    — Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of flecked

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mottled
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Cite this Entry

“Mottled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottled. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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