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
Juli McDonald, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Paris-Saint Germain, Newcastle United and Chelsea currently occupy the final three spots in the top eight, but are level on points with Barcelona, Sporting CP, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Atalanta.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Expect icy spots and blowing or drifting snow, the sheriff's office said.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Jan. 2026
Officials said that roads are still icy with some slick spots here and there, and urged drivers to go slow, give space between cars and stop ahead of time at intersections.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2026
Another 40 would sleep on cots at the shelter, and 20 more would stay in overflow spots at local churches, said Hannah Smith, the organization’s director of shelter services.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Walk carefully on sidewalks and in parking lots, watching for slippery spots.
—Morayo Ogunbayo, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The open shelf keeps decorations on display and TV remotes handy, while the two drawers underneath offer chic hiding spots for clutter when unexpected guests stop by.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
Tin Roof One of Delray Beach’s busiest nightlife spots, Tin Roof centers on live music most nights of the week, along with karaoke, DJs, and themed events like Motown Mondays.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Their 4-3 win on Tuesday over the New York Rangers, a team that essentially waved the white flag last week, kept the Kings in a six-team mix for what could be three Western Conference spots up for grabs.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Framed photos in one section of the hall document the city spots where BearLeek chef Harrison Porter takes his own mid-shift smoke breaks.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026
Past Orange County spots to receive recognition on Yelp’s annual list include Sushi Mura in Buena Park, Tama Sushi in Huntington Beach and Paseo at Downtown Disney.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
In the midst of explaining the situation, the man spots a vehicle wedged between a few semi-trucks and helps assist the passengers inside of the vehicle.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
There’s a real love-is-dead moment when Yas spots Cordelia, who was just rhapsodizing about the purity of her romance with a younger man, literally on her knees before a stubby, old rich guy.
—Judy Berman, Time, 19 Jan. 2026
Give the rust spots an extra amount of pressure.
—Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 17 Jan. 2026
Rulli added that anyone who spots a marine mammal in distress should not intervene, stay at least 150 feet away and report it to their rescue hotline at 415-289-SEAL (7325).
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
Noun
Its hilly, historic neighborhoods feel frighteningly narrow in some spots.
—Juli McDonald, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Paris-Saint Germain, Newcastle United and Chelsea currently occupy the final three spots in the top eight, but are level on points with Barcelona, Sporting CP, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Atalanta.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Expect icy spots and blowing or drifting snow, the sheriff's office said.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Jan. 2026
Officials said that roads are still icy with some slick spots here and there, and urged drivers to go slow, give space between cars and stop ahead of time at intersections.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2026
Another 40 would sleep on cots at the shelter, and 20 more would stay in overflow spots at local churches, said Hannah Smith, the organization’s director of shelter services.
—Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Walk carefully on sidewalks and in parking lots, watching for slippery spots.
—Morayo Ogunbayo, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The open shelf keeps decorations on display and TV remotes handy, while the two drawers underneath offer chic hiding spots for clutter when unexpected guests stop by.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
Tin Roof One of Delray Beach’s busiest nightlife spots, Tin Roof centers on live music most nights of the week, along with karaoke, DJs, and themed events like Motown Mondays.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
Enterprising group member Freddy (Delaney Quinn) spots the paperback Josh was reading in the trash bin, spattered in blood.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
Their 4-3 win on Tuesday over the New York Rangers, a team that essentially waved the white flag last week, kept the Kings in a six-team mix for what could be three Western Conference spots up for grabs.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Framed photos in one section of the hall document the city spots where BearLeek chef Harrison Porter takes his own mid-shift smoke breaks.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026
Past Orange County spots to receive recognition on Yelp’s annual list include Sushi Mura in Buena Park, Tama Sushi in Huntington Beach and Paseo at Downtown Disney.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
In the midst of explaining the situation, the man spots a vehicle wedged between a few semi-trucks and helps assist the passengers inside of the vehicle.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
There’s a real love-is-dead moment when Yas spots Cordelia, who was just rhapsodizing about the purity of her romance with a younger man, literally on her knees before a stubby, old rich guy.
—Judy Berman, Time, 19 Jan. 2026
Give the rust spots an extra amount of pressure.
—Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 17 Jan. 2026
Rulli added that anyone who spots a marine mammal in distress should not intervene, stay at least 150 feet away and report it to their rescue hotline at 415-289-SEAL (7325).
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spots
Noun
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
Serve it with or without a bun plus your favorite toppings like pickles, slaw, and extra sauce.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Sook by Maydan is offering a $ 15-per-person Dine LA lunch menu with a choice of beef wrap or chicken shish taouk wrap, served with house pickles, labneh spread, and a farmers market side salad.—
Kaila Yu,
Forbes.com,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The combination of the formula's acidic component, which dissolves stains and the mild abrasive, which lifts the texture, effectively revives old cookware.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
27 Jan. 2026
-
And for particularly stubborn stains, carefully scrape them off with a razor blade.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Not for escapism, per se – Roseberry’s Schiaparelli show, one of his finest and weirdest to date, vibrated with implications about our world’s rigid definition of beauty, with horns, feathers and splashes of neon – but for indulgence.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Add the carrot sauce and a couple splashes of pasta water, and toss to combine.—
Hailee Catalano,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That review includes parking fees at Park-n-Ride locations, which are currently free for most customers.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Despite its resilient history, Plate Italiano Moderno — a local Italian restaurant — has closed one of its locations.—
Jenna Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
-
His friend Tanya, excuse me, partner in content creation, notices blood pouring out from his back.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Except Cousins notices the teapot is empty and so is the cup.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The warmer temperatures also mean ski areas have been unable to run snowmaking equipment, which sprays mist into the air to create snow in freezing temperatures.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
21 Nov. 2025
-
If this is the version of Smith that sprays the ball around to his playmakers and threw four touchdowns against the Jaguars last week, the Raiders can hang.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spots. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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