mottles 1 of 2

noun

plural of mottle
as in flecks
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part canvases covered with streaks and mottles

Synonyms & Similar Words

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mottles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of mottle
as in sprinkles
to mark with small spots especially unevenly old papers that were mottled by mold

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mottles
  1. flecks
  2. sprinkles
  3. specks
  4. dots
  5. blotches
  6. stains
  7. patches
  8. spots
Noun
  • Amid his vast responsibilities running all the departments in the Giants’ front office, Zaidi still found the time to pore over MLB Draft League statistics and look for flecks of gold.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Little flecks of roasted sweet potato pepper the cake, and a tangy cream cheese glaze is a perfect complement to the warm spices and crunchy topping.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of flecks
Verb
  • Kemery sprinkles the tiny seeds either in late fall or very early spring, when there’s still a chance of frost, since cold spells offer the best germination.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026
  • Thomson sprinkles critique throughout his book like seasoning unevenly applied to a gamey piece of meat.
    — Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Definition of sprinkles
Noun
  • Calcium shows up as bright white specks on the coronary artery images.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Pay close attention to where leaves meet the stem, the underside of leaves, and within the petals for any movement or tiny specks.
    — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of specks
Verb
  • Prepare to be dazzled from Warsaw’s highest viewing terrace atop Varso Tower, which proudly dots the skyline, before eating your way through the innovative food halls that define the coolest neighborhoods.
    — Kasia Dietz, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
  • Japanese linens top the bed, and designer furniture dots the living space.
    — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 1 May 2026
Definition of dots
Noun
  • Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The next morning, a galaxy of itchy red bumps and blotches stretched from my shoulder to my hip.
    — Ben Crair, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
Definition of blotches
Verb
  • The self-tan wipes are easy to apply and contain exfoliating acids that smooth the skin, plus encapsulated DHA (the ingredient that stains the skin) to leave behind a radiant tan.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Homemade plum compote stains the filling with a vibrant red ribbon.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of stains
Noun
  • Add the dry ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until no patches of flour remain.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Anastasia’s ultra-slim Brow Wiz has been the industry’s answer for years because its micro-tip draws individual hairs where none exist while filling in patches with fullness.
    — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of patches
Verb
  • And since Jace’s death, she’s treated Baela as nothing more than a defective surveillance drone — a worthless piece of tech that never spots Vhagar.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Officials asked anyone who spots the cat to send a direct message with the exact time and location of the sighting rather than trying to intervene.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of spots
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.

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mottled
mottles
mottling
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Cite this Entry

“Mottles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottles. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of mottles for Spanish Speakers

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