as in blotches
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
the bleach left a small white splotch on my shirt
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in sprinkles
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
ink from a leaking pen had badly splotched his shirt pocket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of splotches
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
Die große Nacht im Eimer (The Big Night Down the Drain), made that year, depicts a figure of indiscernible age with a cadaverous pallor and yellow splotches, brandishing an oversized phallus beneath a soot-black veil.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
In the distance, splotches of purple and fuchsia seem to explode.
—Heather Greenwood Davis, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
New foliage emerges pink and fades to pure white before developing green splotches that give mature foliage lovely green and white variegation.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026
The alternative rocker included a close-up photo of her infected leg, which was covered in red splotches.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Maybe, maybe, maybe— Hans turned back to his board, red splotches rising on his cheeks.
—Ben Mezrich, Vanity Fair, 6 Apr. 2026
The dots soon became acrid splotches of oil.
—Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Benedikt Althaus, who goes by Xariif, wore a tiger fursuit draped in red, white and blue stripes and splotches, reminiscent of the American flag.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
Mold doesn’t always announce itself with dark splotches on a wall or ceiling.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
Die große Nacht im Eimer (The Big Night Down the Drain), made that year, depicts a figure of indiscernible age with a cadaverous pallor and yellow splotches, brandishing an oversized phallus beneath a soot-black veil.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
In the distance, splotches of purple and fuchsia seem to explode.
—Heather Greenwood Davis, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
New foliage emerges pink and fades to pure white before developing green splotches that give mature foliage lovely green and white variegation.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026
The alternative rocker included a close-up photo of her infected leg, which was covered in red splotches.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Maybe, maybe, maybe— Hans turned back to his board, red splotches rising on his cheeks.
—Ben Mezrich, Vanity Fair, 6 Apr. 2026
The dots soon became acrid splotches of oil.
—Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Benedikt Althaus, who goes by Xariif, wore a tiger fursuit draped in red, white and blue stripes and splotches, reminiscent of the American flag.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for splotches
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
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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
Verb
-
What begins as a small con deepens when the painter’s shrewd agent (Gilles Lellouche) spots an opportunity, encouraging Suzanne to continue the deception as a way to revive his client’s creativity — and bankroll them both.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
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His company runs a network of after school learning centers where an adaptive AI tutoring system spots those cracks and customizes lessons in real time based on how each student responds.—
TIME Contributors,
Time,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Splotches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splotches. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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