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
Monica Deeks, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
His upper lip was swollen and bruised a mottled pinkish blue, and the skin on his face was rubbed raw.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mottled
Adjective
The babies, usually two or three to a family, start as small, fluffy creatures with dark, mottled spots on their heads and webbed feet much too big for their bodies.
—Monica Deeks, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
His upper lip was swollen and bruised a mottled pinkish blue, and the skin on his face was rubbed raw.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Verb
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
-
In a similar vein, Louis Vuitton revived its first wristwatch with a fresh design and new movement, Vacheron Constantin reimagined the Grand Lady Kalla with colored stones, and TAG Heuer gave the Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sports an upgrade with rose gold and a GMT complication.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
31 Oct. 2025
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There was one case that became a major talking point — a student sued her school and the local education board for forcing her to dye her naturally light-colored hair black to comply with school rules that all students have black hair.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Neighboring water molecules interact with one another by way of hydrogen bonds, depicted with dotted lines in this drawing.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
27 Oct. 2025
-
This reversible quilt has a hint of floral romance on one side and a more minimalist dotted print on the other.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Think a more year-round COTA, with a dash more exclusivity sprinkled in.—
Patrick Iversen,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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According to Deadline, Scorsone's eight-episode hiatus will happen consecutively as opposed to other cast members' screen time reductions that are sprinkled throughout the season.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Shuttled in on golf carts to a powder pink carpet, models, media and micro-celebrities mingled as staff passed out marbled Jell-O shots and macarons stamped with the VS logo.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
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This red marbled stone feels like an homage to Paloma Elsesser's spa-like bathroom.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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From brown granite to speckled composite stone, there have been more than a few countertop looks that were overdone in the past decade.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
29 Oct. 2025
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The design of the Grosche Milano Stone stovetop espresso maker, a speckled stone that looks like the bottom of a creek, gives your stovetop coffee maker a contemporary look that’s suited for a modern kitchen.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The costume, which has made waves online, features Fox in a pink suit stained with fake blood, meant to resemble the former first lady shortly after the assassination of her husband.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
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Nelson’s wallpaper is not genuine leather, but features a floral Victorian design that Nelson painted and stained to give the originally white pattern a brownish, leather-like look.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Among the other standouts are Klimt’s Blooming Meadow (1908)—a sea of green grass and trees flecked with blue, yellow, and pink dabs of wildflowers—and six figurative bronzes by Matisse.—
Julie Belcove,
Robb Report,
26 Oct. 2025
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The first two discs are flecked with revelations.—
Will Hermes,
Rolling Stone,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mottled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottled. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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