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
Relevance
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
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 splotches
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
The velvety-soft powder features mica and silica to give it a silky, soft-focus finish, so streaks and splotches are near impossible.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 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
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
The velvety-soft powder features mica and silica to give it a silky, soft-focus finish, so streaks and splotches are near impossible.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 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
-
These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot.—
Brian Bell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
Barnett dots up Knight for a 57-yard catch-and-run.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
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
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
Noun
-
Those canyons provide thousands of patches of natural habitat that interpenetrate the edges of greater Los Angeles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Some of the new services offered in South County include electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, ambulatory monitoring patches that track heart rhythm and treadmill stress tests.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With fellow assistant Dennis Lawrence also off to West Brom and Knowles elevated, that leaves at least two assistant coach spots vacant.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
12 Jan. 2026
-
So the Night Owls are for surveillance and not operations, at least until Pine spots a familiar face, somebody with ties to Roper.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Splotches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splotches. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
