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
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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
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, 27 Jan. 2026
Volcanic specks mushroom up from topaz seas, like a real estate brochure for The Man With The Golden Gun.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
With the help of NASA's $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers first discovered the mysterious specks of light known as little red dots at the end of 2022.
—Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 14 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
Noun
Tiny beads of blood had seeped out and dried into tiny specks.
—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, 27 Jan. 2026
Volcanic specks mushroom up from topaz seas, like a real estate brochure for The Man With The Golden Gun.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
With the help of NASA's $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers first discovered the mysterious specks of light known as little red dots at the end of 2022.
—Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 14 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for specks
Noun
-
That, plus distinct green (herbs) and black (pepper) flecks, made this contender feel higher-end, inspiring us to declare Trader Joe’s the best ranch dressing overall.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 Feb. 2026
-
As Dracula, Jones is giddy and joyous with flecks of depravity bursting through as the plot expands to include his ethereal bond with Harker’s fiancée, Mina Murray (also Bleu).—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Every room is understated and done in grays, white marbles, and earth tones—plus splashes of blue representing Lake Michigan—and comes with one of four types of soaking tubs, all deliciously inviting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The collection, all black save for splashes of red and silky cream and deep brown plum moments, wasn't worth the wait but had bright spots in utility-style vests and jackets, a black funnel-neck piece with tiers of straps down and around like a straightjacket.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These particles are covered with tiny chain-like structures that interact with metal ions in solution.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Existing particles will now obey new laws of physics, and so existing structures will be destroyed and replaced by new structures that obey different laws.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 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
-
Multicolor microstones, iridescent dots, and sparkle clusters are scattered over a sheer, neutral base for an effect that feels fun and celebratory, but not busy.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The West Saguaro National Park, Arizona Stargazers can snag multiple planetary views from Saguaro National Park, with the sky dots visible above the distant Tucson peaks.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The novel is famously austere, with mere glimmers of physical intimacy.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In non-theme park play, the game revolves around Illumineers, glimmers, inklands, a lorebook and other buzzwords and actions that are important to players.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Offered in different flavors, the Strawberry Granola Bites feature a burst of fruity goodness, while the Chocolate Chip Granola Bites combine bits of sweetness with a wholesome mix of oats.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The cookie crumble bits are perfect.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
This mixture attacks stains a bit stronger than the water solution.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Specks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/specks. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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