as in sprinkling
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
old papers that were mottled by mold
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mottling
Verb
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My grandmother just kept sprinkling water and stirring until all the flour gathered into loose clumps, no longer powdery but not yet sticky.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026 -
The younger two brothers float paper boats in the kitchen sink and Jeremy plays along, sprinkling flour on their heads—but making the kitchen a total mess.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This could affect projects like painting the side of your home or even staining your deck.—
Maddie Topliff,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Make sure the deck is completely dry before staining or sealing it.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The crime scene stretched across multiple city blocks, with dozens of blue and yellow evidence markers dotting the pavement.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Clean Mirrors If there are fingerprints and toothpaste remnants dotting your mirror, grab a Swiffer, glass cleaner, and a microfiber cloth.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Imagine strolling through Newark Liberty International Airport and spotting puppies at every turn — baggage claim, security checkpoints, boarding gates.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Apr. 2026
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This sky cam from Embleton offers a wide field of view ideal for spotting meteors streaking across large sections of sky.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Two pumps on the back of my hand did the trick, stippling it across my red-speckled cheeks and around my nose.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
21 Dec. 2025
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The yellowing, eventually turning to brown, starts with stippling or tiny dots on the foliage where mites have pierced the leaves’ epidermis with their stylets or sucking mouthparts.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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One day later, Smith shared a video of Cline dyeing Easter eggs while his mom sang and danced.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
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For many fans — including plenty in the audience with neon green or pink hair — dyeing your own hair at home is part of self-discovery.—
Deborah Sengupta Stith,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The ballpark’s roof was open, the sun still dappling the downtown Miami skyline beyond left field at the start -- a beautiful tableau.—
Greg Cote
Updated March 27,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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In my mind, that always meant at least a plane ride's worth of travel—me in safari gear, sunlight dappling through the canopy, and swinging vines overhead.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Mottling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottling. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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