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
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
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
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
-
Small balconies glance upon the terracotta-and-lemon-colored canal homes, a picturesque way to start each day with a little caffè.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The Seahawks are now the third team in a row to win the Super Bowl in colored jerseys.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Sure, that might help convince Donovan Mitchell to sign on the dotted line when a contract extension gets placed in front of him.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2026
-
And eventually, the Greek forward signed on the dotted line to remain in Milwaukee.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Serve drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with parsley.—
Faye Levy,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
-
It can be sprinkled directly onto the ice to melt it, similar to the way rock salt works.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Premade strawberry glaze helps quickly achieve a marbled look for an elegant presentation.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The marbled, frescoed, octagonal room was domed to amplify the sound of a tinkling keys at the center, and hosted regular recitals.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The actress wore a long-sleeve top with puffy sleeves rolled to the elbows and contrasting fabric between black and a speckled camel tone.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Over time, plastic containers can become scratched, stained, or damaged, and that starts to pose a food safety risk, explains Dragomir Markovic, food scientist and founder of Wise Intake.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
5 Feb. 2026
-
His house in Minneapolis sits between two neighborhoods stained by bloodshed where Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti were killed by federal immigration officers during a surge of immigration enforcement that has ignited outrage and protests across the country.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 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
-
Rounds of roasted purple sweet potatoes arrive mounded with a mixture of salsa macha and butter, and liberally flecked with chives.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Outside, a man wearing a leather biker vest bearing the insignia of the Latin American Motorcycle Association, his blond beard flecked with ice crystals, directed a line of cars through the snow.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mottled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottled. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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