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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mottled
Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The food arrived on a mottled brown ceramic plate, its inexact edges forming something between a circle and an octagon.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
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
In April, the mottled green and brown leaves of the trout lily, start peering through the forest floor.
—Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The food arrived on a mottled brown ceramic plate, its inexact edges forming something between a circle and an octagon.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
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
-
Portage police added that while some students play the game safely using brightly colored water guns, others have created dangerous situations that can trigger panic.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The towering pylon's entire facade lights up with colored LEDs that change according to the time of day, as well as the seasons.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Similar to the actress’s blouse, this Amazon find has billowy long sleeves, a playful dotted print, and a tie neckline that adds extra fashion flair when poking out from under spring jackets and blazers.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Cane-Like Begonias Cane-like begonias, known as angel wings, are known for their glossy, dotted, or hairy foliage.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Diamonds are sprinkled only along the tips of the beans and on the dial and bezel.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Roasted pumpkin seeds and diced jalapenos sprinkled on top add heat and crunch.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Grilled Steak With Chunky Guacamole Salad This well-marbled, flavorful flat iron steak is marinated in olive oil and taco seasoning, then seared on the stove and served with an easy pico de gallo with chunks of avocado.—
Deputy Food Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
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The apartment is nicely located but a bit frozen in time with current listing photos showing wall-to-wall brown carpeting, white-marbled bathrooms, and a painting of beach palm trees hanging in the living room.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The first is a green-speckled frog holding a leaf umbrella above its head.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Additional surveillance footage showed Marcelin in his building's laundry room cleaning a kitchen mat that appears stained with blood, according to prosecutors.—
Ben Brachfeld,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
-
One of them, Amy, a blond child with limp ponytails and a thin dress that looks like it might have been stained, stands outside a porch door, her fists balled up, mouth open, angry or unhappy or both.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 2026.
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