1
as in flecks
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
Relevance
2
as in splashes
a very small amount
not a speck of explanation to accompany the book's pictures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in particles
a very small piece
a speck of dust was preventing the laser from reading the disc
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sprinkles
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 specks
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Microcalcifications appear as white specks and may indicate cancer in some cases.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 3 Jan. 2026
There were also no visible specks of spices.
—Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 12 Dec. 2025
The good news is that in most cases, those little specks are completely harmless and actually a sign of a well-aged, flavorful cheese.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
These black specks show up each autumn, congregating on my screens and windowsill, and complicating my desire to open the window on a pleasant day.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025
The vacuum is dedicated to getting even the tiniest specks of dirt, circling back two or three times until the area is spotless.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2025
The tiny black specks of vanilla pack a surprisingly aromatic punch.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
The pattern is a brownish batik produced by specks of tobacco.
—Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
Their long, silvery-blue spiral arms are peppered with bright knots and specks, the telltale signposts of active, messy astrophysics in progress.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Microcalcifications appear as white specks and may indicate cancer in some cases.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 3 Jan. 2026
There were also no visible specks of spices.
—Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 12 Dec. 2025
The good news is that in most cases, those little specks are completely harmless and actually a sign of a well-aged, flavorful cheese.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
These black specks show up each autumn, congregating on my screens and windowsill, and complicating my desire to open the window on a pleasant day.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025
The vacuum is dedicated to getting even the tiniest specks of dirt, circling back two or three times until the area is spotless.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2025
The tiny black specks of vanilla pack a surprisingly aromatic punch.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
The pattern is a brownish batik produced by specks of tobacco.
—Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specks
Noun
-
López reportedly found flecks of gold while digging wild onions, sparking an early gold rush.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
26 Dec. 2025
-
Shiny and dark evergreen foliage is held aloft on strong, arching stems mottled with purple flecks.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
21 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Those bright white tees seem to be absolute stain magnets attracting coffee drips, spaghetti sauce spots, and salad dressing splashes.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Atlas is also built to withstand harsh conditions, operating reliably in temperatures from -4°F to 104°F, and is waterproofed to protect it from splashes on factory floors.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In high-temperature molten environments, active cathode particles can dissolve into the electrolyte and migrate away from their intended sites.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Grout is very porous and, because of the indent between tiles, grout can easily collect dirt, food particles, and mold, which will discolor the grout over time.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Much like Knives Out, the movie takes a much more lighthearted approach and sprinkles humor throughout.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
15 Dec. 2025
-
The shareable treat features Galactic Brownie ice cream, fudge drizzle, M&Ms candies, and Halloween sprinkles atop a double fudge brownie crust.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
When Schwartzstein returned this fall from a brief paternity leave, quarterbacks were now encircled by 36 dots that individually could change from red to green to reflect where the blocking was poor or strong.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Patterns on the shirts include paisleys, herringbones, windowpanes, glen plaids, pin dots and tattersalls.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
From there, the glimmers of a more peaceful existence — one fueled by expression, not recklessness — give Lidia hope.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This year, there were glimmers of affordability, with some states like Florida, Texas, and California seeing average home prices decline in 2025 from their peaks.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
26 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Beyond the gong, other bits of prop comedy give them cover to dive into more controversial topics.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The live show — featuring a famed blue-skinned, apparently bald and mostly silent trio — will feature classic Blue Man Group routines plus new bits that will be exclusive to the Orlando production.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This mixture attacks stains a bit stronger than the water solution.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Season with salt and lots of pepper and bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking often, until the turmeric stains the mixture a wonderful golden color and the liquid starts to steam, about 3 minutes.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Specks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specks. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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