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
Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Looking more at feeding patterns, flea beetles will leave a mottled speckling of numerous small feeding holes across leaf surfaces.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
But Tariq’s body was already cold, and his skin was mottled.
—Ben Taub, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mottled
Adjective
Miss Freedom was now fleeing down the avenue, her mottled body almost airborne.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Looking more at feeding patterns, flea beetles will leave a mottled speckling of numerous small feeding holes across leaf surfaces.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
The air rang with random alarms; the soft surfaces were mottled with mystery stains.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
But Tariq’s body was already cold, and his skin was mottled.
—Ben Taub, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mottled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mottled
Adjective
-
Calvo, who is often chaufferred by a police escort but was driving himself on Sunday, also received a second citation under the Florida Statute that regulates the use of emergency and colored lights on vehicles.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2026
-
Crosby used acrylic paint, colored pencils, charcoal, and transfers on paper to create the massive 9-by-10 piece.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Mercury’s clash with Neptune begs you to hold off on signing on the dotted line.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
It’s liberally dotted with the designer’s personal collection of art and antiques, but still manages to feel pared-back—as if a Scandinavian fairy came down and waved all the potential clutter away.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Cubes of French bread are drizzled with butter, generously sprinkled with Swiss and Parmesan cheeses, and soaked with a luscious custard.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
10 June 2026
-
Its Caffe Nico is a latte with orange juice and orange peels reduced into a syrup, then sprinkled with cinnamon.—
Jenna Thompson
June 10,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Think massive suites inside the mansion with four-poster beds, marbled bathrooms, and sitting rooms with views across the lawn.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
2 June 2026
-
Some versions lean into chrome accents and creative marbled effects, while others take a more literal approach inspired by the fruity drink itself.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
The one-shoulder dress was designed with a billowing, one-shoulder top with an ornately speckled red and white pattern motif throughout.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
-
The speckled omnivores can weigh upwards of 10 pounds, largely thanks to a diet that regularly includes eggs, small animals, fruits, and vegetables.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
And mid-century doors stained in a rich coral lacquer.—
Jessica Swannie,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Leather and Suede Coats These natural animal hide coats should be cleaned by a professional at the end of the winter season or if they are heavily stained.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Dec. 2025
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
-
Open the door to streets lined with trees and flecked with benches, where the bell of the light rail dings its warning as cyclists zip by on narrow roads.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
-
Giant piles flecked with gravel sit unmelted as reminders of one of the coldest winters in recent memory.—
Story
by
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mottled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottled. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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