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
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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
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Recent Examples of speck
Julie Bourdin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
Lassere and Ross-Lonergan, along with thousands of others, have devoted their careers to investigating this tiny and almost perfectly inert speck.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 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
Within it, there's not a speck of greenery in sight.
—Julie Bourdin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
Lassere and Ross-Lonergan, along with thousands of others, have devoted their careers to investigating this tiny and almost perfectly inert speck.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 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
-
Some bathrooms have been updated with a walk-in shower, while others (including my room) have a shower-tub combo in starlight marble, which has flecks of shiny stone that seem to sparkle, but are slightly uncomfortable to climb into and out of.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
-
Its design, crafted by Russell Sage Studio, is meant to be an on-the-nose reflection of the distillery's famed product, with bronzy walls the color of its single malt, and a ceiling painted to look like barley, reflecting the morning dew with flecks of gold throughout.—
Alessandra Amodio,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Now in an interview with CNN Sports, Biles has offered a glimmer of hope to millions of fans around the world hoping to see her take to the floor for one last dance.—
Amanda Davies,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
-
To Nelson, this weakness represented a glimmer of truth.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The fundamental constants that determine the masses, charges, and interaction strengths between particles are universal as well.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 May 2026
-
People usually contract the virus only after coming in contact with airborne particles from rodent droppings, urine or saliva.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Remove the bay leaves; sprinkle with parsley.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
Crumble it on corn, sprinkle it on a tostada, drop it into beans or dump it into filling for enchiladas — just don’t forget the cotija.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
These grow to form blotches that have lighter and darker zones appearing as irregular concentric rings that grow throughout the season until the entire leaf turns black and dies.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
This was a black one with blotches faintly outlined in pale yellow, a beautiful but deadly looking animal.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That was the last shred of competitiveness in the game.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Gobert was chief among the beggars imploring his teammates for a shred of consistency on that end of the floor.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Always a Runner made a move around the final turn and needed every bit of the stretch to pass Bob Baffert’s Explora and and Michael McCarthy’s Meaning before the finish line of the 1 1/8-mile race.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Jackson and other experts detail why apple cores and other food waste are harmful, and why the best way to protect our natural habitats is not to throw anything out, even the seemingly harmless bits.—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Small outposts consisting of just a few trailer homes and surrounded by security fences dot most hilltops.—
Molly Hunter,
NBC news,
2 May 2026
-
Traci Park won the Los Angeles City Council’s 11th District seat in 2022 on a promise to clean up the rising number of homeless encampments dotting the affluent Westside district.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speck. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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