as in flecks
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
the cat has a speckle of orange right at her whiskers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in sprinkles
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
speckled the cookies with colored sugar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of speckles
Molly Burford, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
There are more than 800 different varieties of camellias throughout the park, ranging from white to deep red solid flowers to multi-colored petals with spots and speckles.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026
For example, 'Pink Splash’ features hot pink streaks on deep green leaves, and ‘Snow White’ has white speckles on deep green leaves.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
White speckles dot the purple mold, while a gradient sole unit runs through blue, purple and pink.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 2 Jan. 2026
Their belly is white with black speckles while their wings and back are black with white.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025
The most prosaic explanation is that Villarroel’s transients are simply artifacts in the photographic plates such as speckles of dust, blobs in the emulsion or even radioactive particles.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2025
The blanket, wrapped tightly around a baby, and its flourishes of red embroidery looking eerily like speckles of blood.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 24 Sep. 2025
Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
This includes checking for the aforementioned signs, such as yellow leaves, spots, speckles, and stickiness, but most importantly, inspecting the plants for bugs and eggs on their leaves, containers, and surrounding areas.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
There are more than 800 different varieties of camellias throughout the park, ranging from white to deep red solid flowers to multi-colored petals with spots and speckles.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026
For example, 'Pink Splash’ features hot pink streaks on deep green leaves, and ‘Snow White’ has white speckles on deep green leaves.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
White speckles dot the purple mold, while a gradient sole unit runs through blue, purple and pink.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 2 Jan. 2026
Their belly is white with black speckles while their wings and back are black with white.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025
The most prosaic explanation is that Villarroel’s transients are simply artifacts in the photographic plates such as speckles of dust, blobs in the emulsion or even radioactive particles.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2025
The blanket, wrapped tightly around a baby, and its flourishes of red embroidery looking eerily like speckles of blood.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
The same kind of misunderstanding speckles the discourse around Live Laugh Love, his stellar new album.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speckles
Noun
-
Although other pests cause similar damage, thrips damage is often associate with numerous small flecks of dark green to black fecal matter.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Jimenez created this manicure using a sage green shimmer polish enhanced with delicate silver flecks, giving the shade incredible depth and dimension.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Groff sprinkles this punchy, athletic syntax over a slew of intricate settings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Much like Knives Out, the movie takes a much more lighthearted approach and sprinkles humor throughout.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Tiny beads of blood had seeped out and dried into tiny specks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Also known as sunspots, solar lentigines, or liver spots, age spots are additional specks and bits of pigment caused by excessive sun exposure.—
Essence,
Essence,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Barnett dots up Knight for a 57-yard catch-and-run.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Rather than the stiff alien chitchat that dots his own screenplays, the characters in The Favourite trade the witty, venomous bon mots of The Great creator Tony McNamara.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Its purple black center was surrounded by blotches of varying shades and textures, raised or sunken at places.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
-
These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot.—
Brian Bell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Every failure of the state now stains the turban as well as the uniform.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The piercing doesn't necessarily damage the trees, but their excrement, which is high in sugar, stains the trees and blocks photosynthesis, which eventually suffocates the trees, the researchers said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Manufacturers of estradiol patches have struggled to keep pace, creating supply disruptions at pharmacies across the country.—
Kristine Lazar,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Some of these areas are just patches of turf with Adirondack chairs — popular with exploration-minded toddlers, or kids with a ball.—
Rachel Kraus,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speckles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speckles. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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