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.
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Recent Examples of spots
Hanna Park, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
The Miami office of the National Weather Service said the region could see 1 to 2 inches of rain over the weekend, with some spots seeing up to 3 inches under particularly heavy rainstorms.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Five hours into Thursday’s meeting, commissioners by a 7-1 vote denied an ordinance that would’ve made outdoor camping in public and private spots — such as bridges, overpasses, bus shelters and more — unlawful.
—Sofi Zeman
october 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
The blind spots of breakthrough technologies Like most of his peers, Farley sees AI’s potential for everything from improving warranty processes to training novice technicians to repair complex engines.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Tailgate spots are passed down for generations, tents are outfitted with chandeliers and furniture, and the food goes beyond the basic game day dips with elaborate menus, signature cocktails, and real silverware.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
Six of the 10 new spots were in Sacramento, with one each in Placerville, Fair Oaks, Citrus Heights and Elk Grove.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The Forester Wilderness will get you in and out of spots few compact SUVs can reach.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
In addition, the home features two parking spots.
—Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025
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
Bradley spots a pink jumpsuit with a flouncy tie around the neck and Violet models it.
—Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025
When a chameleon spots a bug, tiny muscles adjust the lens until the target is perfectly in focus, and that adjustment tells them exactly how far away dinner is.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
The scandal exposed how some wealthy families cheated and bribed to secure spots for their children at elite universities, sparking nationwide outrage over denied opportunities for more deserving students.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
The Miami office of the National Weather Service said the region could see 1 to 2 inches of rain over the weekend, with some spots seeing up to 3 inches under particularly heavy rainstorms.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Five hours into Thursday’s meeting, commissioners by a 7-1 vote denied an ordinance that would’ve made outdoor camping in public and private spots — such as bridges, overpasses, bus shelters and more — unlawful.
—Sofi Zeman
october 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
The blind spots of breakthrough technologies Like most of his peers, Farley sees AI’s potential for everything from improving warranty processes to training novice technicians to repair complex engines.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Tailgate spots are passed down for generations, tents are outfitted with chandeliers and furniture, and the food goes beyond the basic game day dips with elaborate menus, signature cocktails, and real silverware.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
Six of the 10 new spots were in Sacramento, with one each in Placerville, Fair Oaks, Citrus Heights and Elk Grove.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The Forester Wilderness will get you in and out of spots few compact SUVs can reach.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
In addition, the home features two parking spots.
—Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
Bradley spots a pink jumpsuit with a flouncy tie around the neck and Violet models it.
—Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 22 Sep. 2025
When a chameleon spots a bug, tiny muscles adjust the lens until the target is perfectly in focus, and that adjustment tells them exactly how far away dinner is.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 10 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
-
Once they've been opened, a jar of pickles is good for about six months.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Be ready to eat a lot of pickles or give them out to grateful family and friends.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
From pretreating stains to drying methods and brightening tricks, here’s exactly how to wash white towels the right way.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
-
After the hat has cooled, Rosa—a factory floor veteran of 30 years—will steam it to relax the fur’s fibers, and then inspect it for stains and imperfections.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The cooler is built to handle sun, sand, and splashes with a UV-resistant exterior and crushproof interior walls.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
-
From a bleak job hunt upon her arrival in 2016 to undergoing treatment for her second bout with breast cancer during the uncertainty and fear of COVID, Davis recalls her journey through raw vulnerability and splashes of humor.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Wendy Mireles, co-owner of Café Corazón, a Mexican restaurant with locations in Bay View, Brown Deer and Riverwest, spearheaded the event.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Corley's franchise deal includes at least 10 locations in Kentucky.—
Amanda Hancock,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 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
-
At the end of their version of Cinderella, the tragic stepsisters cut off the backs of their heels to try to fit into the glass slipper; the prince only notices the deception when their stockings fill with blood.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The paper notices warning of upcoming cleanups have a phone number for people to call when belongings are taken, and the city is supposed to hold onto that property for at least 90 days before it is thrown away.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Like Machado, Tatis sprays the ball to all fields, even on the ground, another reason he can be depended upon to hit for a solid batting average, even while playing his home games in a pitchers’ park.—
Tony Blengino,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spots. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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