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
Literary Hub, 9 Feb. 2026
Here indeed was a dense speck of wilderness under preserve.
—John Bowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
New York Times, 16 Nov. 2019
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
See All Example Sentences for speck
Noun
Tiny beads of blood had seeped out and dried into tiny specks.
—Literary Hub, 9 Feb. 2026
Here indeed was a dense speck of wilderness under preserve.
—John Bowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
The 656-foot vessel, called the Golden Ray, has been lying since early September off a slice of the Georgia coast specked with resorts and sprawling high-dollar homes.
—New York Times, 16 Nov. 2019
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
See All Example Sentences for speck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speck
Noun
-
Jimenez created this manicure using a sage green shimmer polish enhanced with delicate silver flecks, giving the shade incredible depth and dimension.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The bit of glimmer is echoed in subtle flecks on the dancers’ shimmery white unitards.—
Lauren Warnecke,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Soil samples from the scene Then last week came a small glimmer of hope.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
-
But for at least a little while, within the confines of San Francisco’s Moscone Center, there was a glimmer of a life in a contest that has been largely inert.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
From moldy squash to particles in ice, health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas found numerous violations at Kansas City-area restaurants last week.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Use the range hood during cooking to contain grease particles that rise in the air and prevent them from settling on kitchen surfaces.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The plans are sprinkled with pay-for-play.—
Edwin C. Yohnka,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Its mild garlic flavor is used the same way as onion chives, sprinkled over salads, potatoes, soups, and stews.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Its purple black center was surrounded by blotches of varying shades and textures, raised or sunken at places.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
-
With the proper equipment, the sun spots will appear as a small black blotch close to the center of the solar disk, positioned a little above the sun’s equator.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
With tears stains on her shirt, Guthrie posted a new video Tuesday morning to increase the reward money from $100,000, saying their family was clinging to the smallest shred of hope that their mother would be returned to them safe.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Here’s a guy who dominates on the field every Sunday talking openly about love, poetry and the person who inspires him most, without a shred of self-consciousness.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That strategic depth was dismantled bit by bit by Israel after the October 7 attacks.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Until such a ruling, the debate over the nomenclature of poultry bits will beat on, wings against the current.—
EMILY HEIL THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Trunks, roots, and branches dot the sand, creating an ethereal landscape that begs for its photo to be taken.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Accessories, again, were pared back—silvery dotted Manolo Blahnik pumps (again sourced by Lili Aghaei of The Vintage Marché), and long drop diamond earrings by Chopard.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speck. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
