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
Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2026
Keep an eye out for tiny brown or orange specks, especially around door edges, undercarriage, and seams.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 25 Mar. 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
Is that oblong speck an egg sac or a flake of dandruff?
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2026
Keep an eye out for tiny brown or orange specks, especially around door edges, undercarriage, and seams.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 25 Mar. 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
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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
-
Berber carpet Berber is a type of loop pile carpet with flecks of color.—
Faith Wakefield,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the anguish — often told as a punch line — the winner of the competition offered a glimmer of hope to the nearly 90 attendees live-voting throughout the show via an app.—
Brittany Levine Beckman,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
But there is a glimmer of hope.—
Jessica Lautz,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Just as particles can combine or split apart into other particles, Bar-Natan and van der Veen envisioned their two types of cars sometimes coming together to form a third type of vehicle — as if one were being towed by the other.—
Erica Klarreich,
Quanta Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The plants serve as a physical barrier against dirty air, absorbing chemicals into their cells and collecting particles with their leaves, according to the researchers.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Roasted pumpkin seeds and diced jalapenos sprinkled on top add heat and crunch.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
-
After Knicks head athletic trainer Anthony Goenaga took a look at his hand, Clarkson sprinkled an imaginary substance onto his wrist.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The eggs vary in color—from white to blue to brown—with speckles, blotches, and other markings and are also distinctive in shape.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Dennard offered a shred of advice.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Only film-lover Bella retains a shred of optimism into adulthood, having started a new romance with a film usher.—
Charles Lewis III,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For Rory McIlroy, the trek toward getting a second Masters championship got a little bit harder.—
Rod Beard,
AJC.com,
12 Apr. 2026
-
For whatever sprinkling of sociopathy that Quinn might have, seeing her dead best friend’s daughter, who looks just like her best friend, standing in front of her cracks through a little bit.—
Max Gao,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Sheer cliffs rise from sloping green hills dotted with evergreens.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speck. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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