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
Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
Volcanic specks mushroom up from topaz seas, like a real estate brochure for The Man With The Golden Gun.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
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
The company’s share of its agreement with California — $55 million — is barely a speck on its balance sheet; revenue for Alphabet, Google’s parent company, topped $102 billion in its most recent quarterly earnings report.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
Volcanic specks mushroom up from topaz seas, like a real estate brochure for The Man With The Golden Gun.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
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
-
Editors could immediately tell that this wasn't your typical tortilla chip, noting the pale color and dark flecks of chia seed.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
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But right now, nearly every fleck of AI folly that’s risen to the top has been utter dreck.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Some believe the ouster of strongman leader Nicolás Maduro offers a glimmer of hope for rebuilding institutions and guaranteeing citizens’ rights.—
CNN 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
For Palestinians on the ground, the crossing reopening would be a small glimmer of light.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
With fewer large particles to scatter light indiscriminately, the colors that reach your eyes can appear richer.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Our skies will turn hazy with all the dust particles in the air.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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To serve, sprinkle parsley and/or celery leaves over top.—
Holly Riordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Feb. 2026
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The show was sprinkled with dance cameos including Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Jessica Alba and Karol G.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
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With the proper equipment, AR4366 will appear as a small black blotch close to the center of the solar disk, positioned a little above the sun's equator.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There is not a shred of doubt that the center is used to peddle the influence of Iran’s political Islam.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Any shred of free time is too easy to fill with more work, more worrying, more commitments, and, of course, more aimless scrolling.—
Bekah Waalkes,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The numbers have been slowly ticking up for over a year – a rare bit of good news for a government that has spent billions of dollars for more than a decade encouraging people to do just that.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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What & Why Rhode Island digs into this curious bit of beach trivia.—
Kathleen Hill,
The Providence Journal,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Waterfalls, terraces, and an Italian grotto dot the 42-acre estate.—
Gisela Williams,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
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The names dotting Laguna Beach’s starting lineup Friday weren’t as familiar as last season but their skill and understanding of movement leaped from the pool to be recognized.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speck. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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