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
Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 28 Jan. 2026
The sun’s activity rises and falls over an 11-year cycle that is measured by the number of sunspots, dark splotches that dot our star’s surface and that are associated with magnetic storms.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 19 Nov. 2025
Satellite photos of New Carlisle, Indiana, show greenish splotches of farmland transformed into unmistakable industrial parks in less than a year’s time.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
Those orange splotches on the canister surface?
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
These splotches eventually turn into tube-like structures that spread over affected apple leaves.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
In certain places the canopy of tree crowns was so dense that only splotches of sunlight could penetrate it, and the understory of vegetation was negligible.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2025
Pasty, light-brown skin spotted with splotches of darker brown.
—Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2025
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are packed with stands of aspen trees turning yellow and orange in the fall, sticking out like splotches of paint against the backdrop of evergreens.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 12 Sep. 2023
Noun
Deer print nails give classic polka dots a more rustic, fanciful feel as the precise dots are replaced with freehand splotches.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 28 Jan. 2026
The sun’s activity rises and falls over an 11-year cycle that is measured by the number of sunspots, dark splotches that dot our star’s surface and that are associated with magnetic storms.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 19 Nov. 2025
Satellite photos of New Carlisle, Indiana, show greenish splotches of farmland transformed into unmistakable industrial parks in less than a year’s time.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
Those orange splotches on the canister surface?
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
These splotches eventually turn into tube-like structures that spread over affected apple leaves.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
In certain places the canopy of tree crowns was so dense that only splotches of sunlight could penetrate it, and the understory of vegetation was negligible.
—Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2025
Pasty, light-brown skin spotted with splotches of darker brown.
—Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2025
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are packed with stands of aspen trees turning yellow and orange in the fall, sticking out like splotches of paint against the backdrop of evergreens.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 12 Sep. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for splotches
Noun
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These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot.—
Brian Bell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2026
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Photos show the Maratus australis spider, which has an intricate pattern of blue and brown blotches edged with bright teal and red-orange stripes.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Much like Knives Out, the movie takes a much more lighthearted approach and sprinkles humor throughout.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
15 Dec. 2025
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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
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Editors could immediately tell that this wasn't your typical tortilla chip, noting the pale color and dark flecks of chia seed.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
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The remaining scenes draw on familiar teenage horror tropes, with flecks of fresh insight.—
Natalia Winkelman,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Barnett dots up Knight for a 57-yard catch-and-run.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Oct. 2025
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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
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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
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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
Verb
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This mixture attacks stains a bit stronger than the water solution.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
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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
Noun
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Her transdermal patches target sleep, focus, energy and intimacy, among other needs.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
3 Feb. 2026
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Your device checks for security patches, syncs system settings and keeps essential services running.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The pamphlets include information on how to use the whistle if someone spots immigration agents in the neighborhood and the phone number for Voces de la Frontera’s rapid response hotline.—
Alyssa N. Salcedo,
jsonline.com,
3 Feb. 2026
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Occasionally took off to spend months chasing waves around the world at some of the greatest surf spots, endless summering it.—
Scott Eden,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Splotches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splotches. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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