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
Relevance
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
Noun
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From the train windows, expect to spot the aquamarine waves of Ligurian Sea crashing against the stony coast, candy-colored houses huddled together on the hillsides, tiny wooden boats gliding through village harbors, and flecks of golden-sand beaches.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026 -
The light had a wintry grain, with flecks of color suspended in it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Verb
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In honor of the Niners’ 80th season, the video takes us on a house tour through the decades that sprinkles their opponents’ objects in each room.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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Pastry chef Sahar Shomali, Kouzeh’s owner, sprinkles her version with black and white sesame seeds, cumin and fresh dill.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Most astronomers now agree that each of these minuscule crimson specks—which bear a striking resemblance to enormous, faraway stars—actually has a burgeoning black hole at its center.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
27 May 2026
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As in Kourliandski’s quartet, specks and splatters of sound are interspersed with silences.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Verb
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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
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Japanese linens top the bed, and designer furniture dots the living space.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
Noun
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But skimping on the self-tanner can actually result in blotches and stripes.—
Deanna Pai,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
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The sides may be mottled with brown blotches.—
Ken Perrotte,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
Verb
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When that protective finish gets damaged, the toilet actually stains easier and is harder to keep clean over time.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
24 May 2026
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What Sacks doesn’t get is that by financing and diplomatically supporting Israel, our country makes the crimes of the Israeli government possible, which stains America’s reputation in the world and drains our Treasury.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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It has already been hastily extended with short-term patches twice this year.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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Security teams would discover flaws in their software, vendors would bundle fixes into periodic updates, and companies would decide when to install those patches—often weekly, monthly, or even quarterly.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
Verb
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As times changed, celebrities found other places to visit while in town, notably other South Beach and Miami spots like Prime 112, Carbone, Gekko and Papi Steak.—
Connie Ogle
June 10,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
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Anyone who spots anything unusual along the coastline should immediately call 911.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Mottles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottles. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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