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
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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
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3
as in stains
a mark of guilt or disgrace
scandalous conduct that will forever be a spot upon the family name
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4
as in splashes
a very small amount
had only a spot of stew for dinner, as he wasn't very hungry
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Cite this Entry
“Spots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spots. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.
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