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
Relevance
as in sprinkles
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 speckles
Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
The axolotl was pale with speckles and had injuries to its tail and stomach.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Many types of lungwort grow leaves which are frequently splashed with silvery white speckles for extra interest in the shady part of the garden.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 18 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, 30 Mar. 2026
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
Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
The creature was pale with speckles and had suffered injuries to its tail and stomach, believed to have been caused by a predator, BBC reported.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
The axolotl was pale with speckles and had injuries to its tail and stomach.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Many types of lungwort grow leaves which are frequently splashed with silvery white speckles for extra interest in the shady part of the garden.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 18 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, 30 Mar. 2026
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
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
-
Our recipe studs egg filling with flecks of green onions, bacon, and a generous helping of Swiss cheese.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
5 May 2026
-
Some bathrooms have been updated with a walk-in shower, while others (including my room) have a shower-tub combo in starlight marble, which has flecks of shiny stone that seem to sparkle, but are slightly uncomfortable to climb into and out of.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Pastry chef Sahar Shomali, Kouzeh’s owner, sprinkles her version with black and white sesame seeds, cumin and fresh dill.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
Use a watering can or hose that sprinkles the water to evenly distribute it among the seeds.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
From the summit of Monte Gambarogno, the towns hugging the shore of Lake Maggiore appear as tiny specks, dwarfed by the snowcapped southern Alps to the north.—
Lisa Kadane,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2026
-
Silvery or mottled patches on leaves, brown or distorted petal edges, dark specks (feces) or flower buds that fail to open are signs of thrips.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Japanese linens top the bed, and designer furniture dots the living space.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
-
Barnett dots up Knight for a 57-yard catch-and-run.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These grow to form blotches that have lighter and darker zones appearing as irregular concentric rings that grow throughout the season until the entire leaf turns black and dies.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
What Sacks doesn’t get is that by financing and diplomatically supporting Israel, our country makes the crimes of the Israeli government possible, which stains America’s reputation in the world and drains our Treasury.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Every failure of the state now stains the turban as well as the uniform.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Other things flying up include flexible repair patches for sealing the space station’s hull, a replacement ultrasonic inspection tool, spare units for the station’s vibration monitoring system and parts to improve water processing and oxygen generation.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
The fun really starts with the collaborators’ premium denim lineup, inclusive of the Trucker Jacket, all button-flap pockets and varied patches (peep that American flag over the chest, for unleashing your inner patriot), as well as the Lucky Legend Low Rise Festival Short.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speckles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speckles. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
