1
as in specks
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
in summer the white coat of the snow leopard is studded with brownish black spots
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in pickles
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
we're in a bit of a spot right now with our mortgage payments
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in stains
a mark of guilt or disgrace
scandalous conduct that will forever be a spot upon the family name
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in splashes
a very small amount
had only a spot of stew for dinner, as he wasn't very hungry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in locations
the area or space occupied by or intended for something
the cat grabbed my spot on the couch the minute I stood up
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in dots
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
to give the effect of sunlight on water, the artist spotted the lake in his painting with flecks of gold paint
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in notices
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
I spotted both of them as they tried to sneak out the back door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sprays
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on
the TV networks had spotted reporters all over the state for the election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spots
Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Some dishwasher pods contain rinse aid, which helps with the drying process and minimizes water spots, while others don't.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2025
If your finances have been all over the place, Uranus retrograde is about to expose the weak spots in your budget, Aries.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
DarkSky International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the night sky, has identified some of the best spots for witnessing the wonders of the cosmos across the island country.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2025
Closings At the same time, four eateries went out of business during October, including two spots in Roseville, one in Sacramento and one in Arden Arcade.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Panther City Vinyl and Doc’s Records & Vintage are also good spots, Wallace said.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
Rust spots on stainless steel are usually from leaving metal items (like steel wool pads or pots and pans) sitting in the sink.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
Crowdsourced review website Yelp called on to its elite members to rank the best places to get chocolate treats in the United States, and the reviews say one of the top spots is in Kansas City.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Rene Lima, a grower in Chicago who is set to inaugurate a cannabis education platform for Spanish-speaking seniors, spots a clear and promising pathway for DEI.
—Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Nov. 2025
In the present-day snap, Esmé spots her family mid-marathon and embraces Fox.
—Georgia Slater, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
When human samples are required for her research and funding bodies refuse further support, Bree spots an opportunity to help both her work and her sister, no matter the cost.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
Among those moved by the discovery is a German businessman who spots the album online and identifies his grandfather among the faces.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025
On his daily jog, Donald spots Lee heading to his car, stopping to scratch his back on the flagstone façade of Donald’s mistress’s house, right on schedule.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
All the while, Cook spots a cutback lane to the interior, gives a couple of setup steps and zooms up the field for another big gain.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Then, one of the Cochise County Sheriff’s deputies spots a suspect’s gray sedan parked outside a nearby ATM.
—Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
All told, whether a dive bar is in a downtown area, off a busy main street or hidden in a neighborhood, these are beloved spots that draw regulars and newcomers for the drinks, perhaps a good bar burger, but definitely the camaraderie.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Some dishwasher pods contain rinse aid, which helps with the drying process and minimizes water spots, while others don't.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2025
If your finances have been all over the place, Uranus retrograde is about to expose the weak spots in your budget, Aries.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
DarkSky International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the night sky, has identified some of the best spots for witnessing the wonders of the cosmos across the island country.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2025
Closings At the same time, four eateries went out of business during October, including two spots in Roseville, one in Sacramento and one in Arden Arcade.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Panther City Vinyl and Doc’s Records & Vintage are also good spots, Wallace said.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
Rust spots on stainless steel are usually from leaving metal items (like steel wool pads or pots and pans) sitting in the sink.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
Crowdsourced review website Yelp called on to its elite members to rank the best places to get chocolate treats in the United States, and the reviews say one of the top spots is in Kansas City.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
As a train barrels toward her near the final moments of the video, Perry spots a daisy on the tracks — seemingly a nod to her daughter — and dodges disaster.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Rene Lima, a grower in Chicago who is set to inaugurate a cannabis education platform for Spanish-speaking seniors, spots a clear and promising pathway for DEI.
—Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Nov. 2025
In the present-day snap, Esmé spots her family mid-marathon and embraces Fox.
—Georgia Slater, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
When human samples are required for her research and funding bodies refuse further support, Bree spots an opportunity to help both her work and her sister, no matter the cost.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
Among those moved by the discovery is a German businessman who spots the album online and identifies his grandfather among the faces.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025
On his daily jog, Donald spots Lee heading to his car, stopping to scratch his back on the flagstone façade of Donald’s mistress’s house, right on schedule.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
All the while, Cook spots a cutback lane to the interior, gives a couple of setup steps and zooms up the field for another big gain.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Then, one of the Cochise County Sheriff’s deputies spots a suspect’s gray sedan parked outside a nearby ATM.
—Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spots
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
To get the Benny Blanco drink, customers could add cherry flavor and pickles.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Then she’s trapped by aisles on all sides, boxed in by shelf after shelf of pickles.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Stubborn stains, such as makeup, grass, and nail polish, can also benefit from a hot water wash.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Leaks, ceiling stains or granules in gutters may signal damaged or missing asphalt shingles.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The trade deadline came and went for the Detroit Lions, and for a team that isn’t known for making in-season splashes, this was par for the course.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
-
But just like those old Higdon’s the new model splashes and bobs aggressively.—
Alex Robinson,
Outdoor Life,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
However, evidence of their involvement based on their ownership, partnerships, or the often-secretive nature of their locations made clear that at least part of their purpose is weapons-related.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Many chains are finding that fewer stores are better, and have been shutting down locations to maintain quality and brand congruence.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
The $3,211 per month maintenance fees cover a part-time doorman and a fitness studio, while the location provides easy access to Madison Square Park plus all the shopping and dining that dots the area.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Joe notices the signs while filming the audience with his camera.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
In the midst of the run, fighting physical exhaustion and psychological trauma, Eve notices she is being pursued by an unknown runner in white who is closing in on her.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In a viral TikTok video shared on Saturday under the username @personalityhire__, the poster’s cat, Paya, can be seen sitting quietly in the bathtub, opening his mouth to drink as his owner sprays him with the shower head right in the face.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Fittingly, these finals get a full seven-game layout, and the team to earn four wins lifts the trophy (then sprays the trophy with sparkling wine).—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spots. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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