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
Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
The room is shadowy but lively, with the sense that there are things going on in every speck of the frame.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 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
The tiny black specks of vanilla pack a surprisingly aromatic punch.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
The room is shadowy but lively, with the sense that there are things going on in every speck of the frame.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 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
-
Nice vanilla bean flecks and round, fatty flavor with only the subtlest hint of coconut.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Oct. 2025
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And Abrams-Draine still managed to emerge with just a few flecks of soot after getting thrown in the fire last season, picking off Justin Herbert in a loss to the Chargers and establishing himself as a building block in a spot start.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These numbers, up from 2024’s estimate of six to eight total individuals, reflect a glimmer of hope in what has otherwise been a tragic tale of decline.—
Ryan Green,
Scientific American,
6 Nov. 2025
-
While some see a glimmer of hope in this moment, others are skeptical.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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China’s ambitious plan to build the Circular Electron Positron Collider (CEPC), a multibillion-dollar project aimed at creating the world’s largest particle collider, is likely to be officially stalled after it was not included in the country’s next five-year plan.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
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This picks up any dirt or dust particles that may be lying on your mattress and contributing to a less-than-sanitary environment.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Others, like Havaizinho, were sprinkled with rustic beach huts selling sugarcane juice and beer, along with vendors renting umbrellas and chairs.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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Their twist on candy cane ice cream is refreshing, a little punchy, and sprinkled with peppermint candy for a little festive flair.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Photos show the Maratus australis spider, which has an intricate pattern of blue and brown blotches edged with bright teal and red-orange stripes.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
4 Nov. 2025
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The one blemish — or ugly blotch — was that crushing 7-2 Champions League defeat against Paris Saint-Germain last week.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Broncos put up negative net yardage on a whopping four drives, and only found a shred of fourth-quarter magic in Nix’s right arm on a late third-down rollout to Franklin to help put the game away.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
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But the unfixed nature of trauma colors even the most vivid of memories with shreds of doubt.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Like so many other bits of Times coverage, the whole of the piece is structured as an orchestrated encounter.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Lyon’s magnetism touches the entire cast, but her bits with both Killam’s Boone and Chenoweth’s Tammy really leap off the screen.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Yellow evidence markers dotted the ground and what appeared to be clothing laid on the pavement.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Nov. 2025
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Afterward, pop over to Reno to explore the public art sculptures from Burning Man, which dot the downtown area.—
Mark Ellwood,
AFAR Media,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Speck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speck. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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