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
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 spots
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
But state resources don’t have any authority over an HOA to help open up more spots, Chesnut said.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
Remaining unclaimed playoff spots The final two playoff spots in the Western Conference are up for grabs, with FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes all stumbling towards the finish line.
—Tom Bogert, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Meals are served with a side of nostalgia at these classic spots.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
Metro Detroiters might see giant frogs and various other creatures at public gathering spots this weekend.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025
For its relatively small footprint, Hôtel Place d'Armes punches far above its weight from a culinary POV, with a fabulous on-site brasserie, a trendy sushi bar, and a panoramic roof terrace (open seasonally) that’s widely considered one of the city’s best spots for outdoor drinks with a view.
—Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
The brand has controlled price hikes for now but expects to raise them at some point, albeit in specific spots rather than across-the-board, John said.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Rather, romantic getaways are about finding spots that will set your soul on fire, together.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2025
FOXNews.com, 9 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
There are countless idyllic South Florida spots to watch the sun rise out of the Atlantic Ocean.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2025
As the fight is being broken up, Ellen spots her brother with his gun aimed, apparently at Arthur.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Homeowner spots first blue jay and green jay hybrid in Texas.
—Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Yelp only allowed up to five spots per metro area to ensure geographic diversity, so four Phoenix spots receiving the honor is a noteworthy number.
—Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
Just a few days ago, the field for the Hero World Challenge was announced, leaving three spots open for sponsor exemptions.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
But state resources don’t have any authority over an HOA to help open up more spots, Chesnut said.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
Remaining unclaimed playoff spots The final two playoff spots in the Western Conference are up for grabs, with FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes all stumbling towards the finish line.
—Tom Bogert, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Meals are served with a side of nostalgia at these classic spots.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
Metro Detroiters might see giant frogs and various other creatures at public gathering spots this weekend.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025
For its relatively small footprint, Hôtel Place d'Armes punches far above its weight from a culinary POV, with a fabulous on-site brasserie, a trendy sushi bar, and a panoramic roof terrace (open seasonally) that’s widely considered one of the city’s best spots for outdoor drinks with a view.
—Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
The brand has controlled price hikes for now but expects to raise them at some point, albeit in specific spots rather than across-the-board, John said.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Rather, romantic getaways are about finding spots that will set your soul on fire, together.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Take the quiz here … SECONDHAND SECRETS – Bargain hunter spots potential medieval treasures at thrift shop for $30.
—FOXNews.com, 9 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
There are countless idyllic South Florida spots to watch the sun rise out of the Atlantic Ocean.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2025
As the fight is being broken up, Ellen spots her brother with his gun aimed, apparently at Arthur.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Homeowner spots first blue jay and green jay hybrid in Texas.
—Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Yelp only allowed up to five spots per metro area to ensure geographic diversity, so four Phoenix spots receiving the honor is a noteworthy number.
—Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spots
Noun
-
The pattern is a brownish batik produced by specks of tobacco.—
Zuzana Říhová,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
-
After a few days’ travel, some of the specks landed on a buoy floating in the North Atlantic off the coast of French Guyana.—
Zack Savitsky,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While a regular sandwich consists of toppings and meat between two or more pieces of bread, a picklewich replaces the bread with pickles.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Mixed with celery, red onions, peas, lemon juice and sweet pickles the pasta salad is delicious with just a few effortless ingredients.—
Sofia DiStefano,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Combine equal parts vinegar and water in a small bowl, then dampen a cloth with the solution and rub it over the stains.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The hilarious post, shared earlier in October by u/time4stew, shows the guilty tuxedo cat laying on the floor with his paws stretched out, as his owner holds him down to photograph his stains.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the rugged, waterproof build handles poolside splashes without drama.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The designer says limiting the splashes of red within your space still has the power to transform and energize without overwhelming.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The brisket burger can be found at Feather & Flame at stand 427 in December, while the pizza is at Anaheim Pizza at stand 210 (additional Anaheim Pizza locations will open at sections 203 and 418 in December).—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Although further details on the tribute were kept under wraps, organizers said the ceremony will be characterized by an unprecedented, widespread format, with activations planned in key locations scattered across Northern Italy.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Messages posing as highway-toll, postal-fee or delivery notices direct recipients to fake payment sites.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
-
According to Wolff, not everyone who stops by for coffee notices them or chooses to engage, but many do.—
Diana Hubbell,
Saveur,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
This is when water from a sprinkler head sprays out onto the sidewalk or street, and that's considered wasted water.—
Yvette Fernandez,
NPR,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spots. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share