1
as in fleck
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
a lizard with specks of white against a green body
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in glimmer
a very small amount
not a speck of explanation to accompany the book's pictures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in particle
a very small piece
a speck of dust was preventing the laser from reading the disc
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to sprinkle
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
dirt that had specked the windows of the factory for ages
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of speck
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
You cant be expected to clean every speck of dust in every nook and cranny.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
Brian Lowry, CNN, 19 Apr. 2018
To get into the spirit, order a ginger beer and rock shrimp fritters, fried balls of doughy goodness specked with bell pepper and spices that come steaming hot with a side of spicy mayo.
—Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, 12 Feb. 2018
See All Example Sentences for speck
Noun
Now the Mediterranean-style digs high above Malibu Canyon have popped up for sale, asking a speck under $13 million.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
You cant be expected to clean every speck of dust in every nook and cranny.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
For all its strengths, though, the series proves a bit of a slog, at times, as the wheels turn along the dusty, blood-specked road to wherever this maze leads.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 19 Apr. 2018
To get into the spirit, order a ginger beer and rock shrimp fritters, fried balls of doughy goodness specked with bell pepper and spices that come steaming hot with a side of spicy mayo.
—Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, 12 Feb. 2018
See All Example Sentences for speck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speck
Noun
-
For me, there’s nothing more disappointing in a carrot cake than one that is light-colored and airy like, well, cake with flecks of carrots in it.—
Carolynn Carreño,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Plus, because of the wet look the pair have struck on, her color looks darker, too—interspersed with golden flecks and darker, acorn tones.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The coach listens not just for answers, but for glimmers—early signals of ideas that could be shaped into something bigger.—
Rhea Wessel,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
However, the glimmers of optimism surrounding the tariffs did not last.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Central Valley metro area ranked third in the nation in terms of year-round particle pollution and fifth in terms of short-term particle pollution.—
Fernanda Galan,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Residents are being told to avoid lighting candles, burning incense, using fireplaces, or grilling—activities that can increase indoor particle pollution.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Rosemary bonded with Kennedy’s larger-than-life second wife, Eleanora, who was almost a decade younger than Rosemary, but acted as her fairy godmother, sprinkling money and sisterly advice.—
Susannah Cahalan,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Rainbow and trans flags could be seen sprinkled throughout the crowd, along with a dozen or so Moms for Liberty shirts.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Photos depict a heartbreaking sight, with Hector’s rib cage protruding through his weakened body as red blotches line his ivory and brown coat.—
TJ Macias,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2025
-
The butterflies themselves are nearly gone, but the ink has left three blotches down her arm.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Every scene is a joy because every performance is perfectly pitched, and there’s not a shred of fat on Deborah Moggach’s screenplay (which received an uncredited development assist from Emma Thompson).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Miss Manners can promise you that there will not be a shred of curiosity left in those formerly nosy questioners.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
With stealth mechanics now in the mix, Metroid Dread doubled down on the scarier bits of Metroid Fusion to create gameplay sections where deadly EMMI robots have to be avoided, at least until Samus regains her strength (big shock).—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
1 May 2025
-
For the dynamic stretches, aim to go a little bit deeper into the movement with each rep, but never crank right into the end range of motion, Dr. Yu says.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Facing Ramírez to start the seventh, López dotted a fastball down and in to the slugger, only for it to be called a ball by plate umpire Malachi Moore.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
-
Every April, Earth Day arrives in full color – parks buzzing with volunteers, corporate campuses dotted with tree-planting events, and social feeds flooded with stunning shots of mountains, oceans, and forests.—
Namita Gupta-Hehl,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Speck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speck. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share