as in dotted
marked with spots
a speckled dog
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sprinkled
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
speckled the cookies with colored sugar
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 speckled
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 June 2026
Toad Lily Toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta) is another standout choice for the shady spots in your garden, with purple and white speckled blooms that are sure to catch eyes in late summer and fall.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 27 May 2026
This pair featured a silver Swoosh and a subtle speckled shimmer throughout.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
Usually, Ana waited inside for the delivery of the eggs, speckled blue and white and brown, with bright orange yolks, courtesy of Sunny, Moonbeam, Punky, Clucky, and Cosmo.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
Common rattlesnakes in California include the Mojave, northern Pacific, red, sidewinder, speckled and western diamondback rattlesnakes.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The leaf shapes vary, including speckled colors.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
The first is a green-speckled frog holding a leaf umbrella above its head.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
The casing comes in the same colors with a speckled effect made from the Volt color.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
Anna Earl, Parents, 1 June 2026
On Tuesday, a few campaign signs speckled the cream walls of the room.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026
Switzerland's natural beauty and breadth are astounding—snowcapped mountains with some of the world's best skiing, verdant valleys speckled with wildflowers, and quaint cities filled with cultural attractions and world-class restaurants.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026
Palmer wore a sparkly pink gown; Riley, a jumpsuit speckled with tiny embroidered daisies.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Located in the constellation Canes Vanatici, the spiral galaxy is made up of long swirls of gas and dust speckled with stars.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 13 May 2026
The site was speckled with parents and children, but was overwhelmingly populated by dogs.
—Katie Gavin, Time, 8 May 2026
Foliage is a medium green color speckled with silver or light green spots.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
The coconut frosting, speckled with coconut flakes, was the best part.
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The speckled omnivores can weigh upwards of 10 pounds, largely thanks to a diet that regularly includes eggs, small animals, fruits, and vegetables.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 June 2026
Toad Lily Toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta) is another standout choice for the shady spots in your garden, with purple and white speckled blooms that are sure to catch eyes in late summer and fall.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 27 May 2026
This pair featured a silver Swoosh and a subtle speckled shimmer throughout.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
Usually, Ana waited inside for the delivery of the eggs, speckled blue and white and brown, with bright orange yolks, courtesy of Sunny, Moonbeam, Punky, Clucky, and Cosmo.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
Common rattlesnakes in California include the Mojave, northern Pacific, red, sidewinder, speckled and western diamondback rattlesnakes.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The leaf shapes vary, including speckled colors.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
The first is a green-speckled frog holding a leaf umbrella above its head.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
The casing comes in the same colors with a speckled effect made from the Volt color.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
This Scottish name means speckled or freckled and has become way more commonly used than its original spelling—Brice—over the decades.
—Anna Earl, Parents, 1 June 2026
On Tuesday, a few campaign signs speckled the cream walls of the room.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026
Switzerland's natural beauty and breadth are astounding—snowcapped mountains with some of the world's best skiing, verdant valleys speckled with wildflowers, and quaint cities filled with cultural attractions and world-class restaurants.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026
Palmer wore a sparkly pink gown; Riley, a jumpsuit speckled with tiny embroidered daisies.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Located in the constellation Canes Vanatici, the spiral galaxy is made up of long swirls of gas and dust speckled with stars.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 13 May 2026
The site was speckled with parents and children, but was overwhelmingly populated by dogs.
—Katie Gavin, Time, 8 May 2026
Foliage is a medium green color speckled with silver or light green spots.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
The coconut frosting, speckled with coconut flakes, was the best part.
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speckled
Adjective
-
Mercury’s clash with Neptune begs you to hold off on signing on the dotted line.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
It’s liberally dotted with the designer’s personal collection of art and antiques, but still manages to feel pared-back—as if a Scandinavian fairy came down and waved all the potential clutter away.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
They can also be folded into batters for cookies, baked oatmeal, or quick breads like banana bread—or, for a pretty garnish, sprinkled on top just before baking.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
31 May 2026
-
And this time there were a few defensive mistakes sprinkled in, as well.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
The telegram’s design is joyful and vivid, featuring illustrations of tiny hands tossing multi-colored hats and flowers into the air in a gesture of congratulation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
The throwback elements of Rush’s show – the zigzagging colored lasers, the bursts of pyro that momentarily stunned with their booms, the gratification of watching musicians so focused on their music that running around the stage was not an option – reminded of a simpler era of concert-going.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Occasional white patches flecked the landscape, alkali deposits where even prairie grass and scrub cottonwood refused to grow.—
Eric Moskowitz,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
-
Dishes of shepherd’s pie blanketed in smooth, buttery mashed potatoes flecked with cheddar cheese.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Not every paramilitary fighter is stained by the corruption of the Shia elite or implicated in spilling innocent blood in recent years.—
Nabil Salih,
Time,
26 May 2026
-
Nobody can resist a saucy, savory sloppy joe, but you're bound to leave a sloppy joe meal with at least one article of clothing stained.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The paint is deftly mottled but its handling lacks the prowess of her later work (see, for example, Being Beamed, 1984, a fantasia of extraterrestrial teleportation in which the watercolor is sumptuous but perfectly controlled).—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Its flowers are huge and orange, marked or mottled with maroon splotches.—
Pedro Moura,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
As Toomey looked for a seat to watch the race that day at Balboa Stadium, he was spotted by his old cross-country coach at Palo Alto High School, Forrest Jamieson.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Two other robots approach an indistinct tree line, and devastating blasts follow, the unit saying Russian positions had been spotted there earlier.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speckled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speckled. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
