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
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Recent Examples of spots
Linh Tat, Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Be sure to book a tour in advance, as spots tend to fill up quickly.
—Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
This set includes a handheld grout brush and a brush with a long telescopic handle for those hard-to-reach spots.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
As the spots age, the centers turn grayish with a dark purple border.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Program expanded across the five boroughs The city offers free preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, but the expansion comes as some parents say they were offered spots far from their neighborhoods, making the program difficult to use.
—Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
On the bright side, that intersection is considered one of the world’s best plane-watching spots.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
While some locals are selective about downtown spots, the hotel has seen a growing mix of visitors and residents alike, with San Antonians stopping by for drinks at Bar 414 or sweets from Paris Baguette.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
Additionally, the home features two parking spots.
—Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Your quick mind spots what to improve, and your confidence helps others get on board.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff upgraded the skill spots as well as the offensive line.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
In season four, Eric’s haunted by guilt, and SternTao employee Sweetpea spots the cuff links on Eric’s hotel-room dresser.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
SacRT will be using the data to perform field surveys of the danger spots and come up with potential safety ideas.
—James Taylor, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Bateman’s festival comes at a moment when Gen AI is starting to engulf Hollywood and creative work, as Seedance videos featuring Hollywood celebs go viral, Sora is gaining a foothold via Disney’s deal with OpenAI and Super Bowl spots fully incorporate the tech.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 24 Feb. 2026
Your 10th House of Bold Moves gains focus as the intuitive Moon enters, ensuring your practical mind spots the next improvement that makes work run smoothly.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 23 Feb. 2026
The start is determined by a moon sighting committee in Saudi Arabia, and Ramadan begins the day after the committee spots the new crescent moon.
—Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
In California’s gubernatorial race, the candidates who land in the top two spots after the primary election advance to the runoff, regardless of party affiliation.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Be sure to book a tour in advance, as spots tend to fill up quickly.
—Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
This set includes a handheld grout brush and a brush with a long telescopic handle for those hard-to-reach spots.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
As the spots age, the centers turn grayish with a dark purple border.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Program expanded across the five boroughs The city offers free preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, but the expansion comes as some parents say they were offered spots far from their neighborhoods, making the program difficult to use.
—Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
On the bright side, that intersection is considered one of the world’s best plane-watching spots.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
While some locals are selective about downtown spots, the hotel has seen a growing mix of visitors and residents alike, with San Antonians stopping by for drinks at Bar 414 or sweets from Paris Baguette.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
Additionally, the home features two parking spots.
—Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
At a transit station, Min Ho spots Kitty on a train, bags in tow.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Your quick mind spots what to improve, and your confidence helps others get on board.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff upgraded the skill spots as well as the offensive line.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
In season four, Eric’s haunted by guilt, and SternTao employee Sweetpea spots the cuff links on Eric’s hotel-room dresser.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
SacRT will be using the data to perform field surveys of the danger spots and come up with potential safety ideas.
—James Taylor, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Bateman’s festival comes at a moment when Gen AI is starting to engulf Hollywood and creative work, as Seedance videos featuring Hollywood celebs go viral, Sora is gaining a foothold via Disney’s deal with OpenAI and Super Bowl spots fully incorporate the tech.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 24 Feb. 2026
Your 10th House of Bold Moves gains focus as the intuitive Moon enters, ensuring your practical mind spots the next improvement that makes work run smoothly.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 23 Feb. 2026
The start is determined by a moon sighting committee in Saudi Arabia, and Ramadan begins the day after the committee spots the new crescent moon.
—Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spots
Noun
-
Subjects are often, to the naked eye, tiny specks of light surrounded by darkness.—
Tantse Walter,
Space.com,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Tiny beads of blood had seeped out and dried into tiny specks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The six-hour event at Art History Brewing in Geneva was offered by the Streetz Artz Alliance group and featured more than a dozen local artisans whose products ranged from hot sauce and custom woodwork to body care products, jewelry, bread, pickles and more.—
David Sharos,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Burd, who hates pickles, was hesitant to eat it and felt like throwing up.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Lip stains are in a moment of evolution.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Walk the inside perimeter and glance at ceilings or upper walls for any water stains, especially in attic spaces.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
It’s built for extremes with IP68 waterproofing and 5x saltwater resistance, ensuring sea splashes or sweat won't stop its 50W of powerful audio.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Lightweight cottons and linens feel airy and relaxed, while washable blends are practical in a space consistently exposed to cooking splatter, splashes, and humidity.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Online records show that Kayumi's parents have owned and worked at multiple Popeyes fast food locations, including in Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Atlantic City.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Under the merger, which is expected to close in spring or early summer, both brands will maintain their own line of products and retail locations.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 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
-
The district board voted last month to issue preliminary layoff notices for more than 400 district employees.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Vanderpump notices details other guests miss, and bad lighting tops her list of hotel sins.—
David Morris,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Orange County sprays herbicides to eradicate vegetation in flood control channels.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The man asks for his Shalimar perfume, sprays himself and lies down on the floor.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spots. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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