1
as in dotted
marked with spots
the spotted tablecloth clashed with the stripes on the wallpaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in colored
having blotches of two or more colors
not surprisingly, the white cow and black bull had a spotted calf
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in sprinkled
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 noticed
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 sprayed
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 spotted
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
Two types of skunks are found in the state — the more common striped skunk and the spotted skunk, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026
It was discovered not by direct observation but with gravitational effect on Uranus, although it was spotted, unrecognized at the time, by Galileo centuries earlier.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spotted
Adjective
The whimsical spotted foliage of lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.) lights up the shade garden from spring through fall.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
Two types of skunks are found in the state — the more common striped skunk and the spotted skunk, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Hubble Space Telescope has spotted a spiral galaxy swirling through the darkness of space, emanating an otherworldly glow through its cosmic, branching arms.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026
It was discovered not by direct observation but with gravitational effect on Uranus, although it was spotted, unrecognized at the time, by Galileo centuries earlier.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spotted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotted
Adjective
-
Similar to the actress’s blouse, this Amazon find has billowy long sleeves, a playful dotted print, and a tie neckline that adds extra fashion flair when poking out from under spring jackets and blazers.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Cane-Like Begonias Cane-like begonias, known as angel wings, are known for their glossy, dotted, or hairy foliage.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Tea service at Le Salon is worth a booking to experience the delights of delicate finger sandwiches, pastel-colored confections, and A-plus people-watching.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Seconds later, several others run by and a light-colored sedan speeds off.—
Mark Prussin,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, and John Kerry are other beneficiaries of the $84 million that the Mandels have sprinkled to Democratic campaigns over time, according to Federal Election Commission records.—
Gabe Kaminsky,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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City of Careless Angels is uneven, sprinkled with boilerplate indie signifiers and sometimes juvenile fixations on heartbreak.—
Donald Morrison,
Pitchfork,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The study got its start when co-author Brian Gootee, a geologist with the Arizona Geological Survey, noticed a resemblance between sand deposits downstream of the Grand Canyon and in the Bidahochi—both contained pink, rounded grains that seemed to have been transported by the same river.—
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Karsh previously told the Pioneer Press that tenant complaints against Quadrel began last month, when renters from one of their residential properties, located at 929-935 Michigan Avenue, noticed drastic increases in rent after receiving their lease renewal notices.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Officers allege Portugues yelled the n-word at the postal worker, then sprayed her with a garden hose.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Shotcrete is concrete sprayed at high velocity onto a surface.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The whole rug needs to get wet or colors in the fiber could migrate and result in a blotched look.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Its leaves are deciduous and sometimes white-blotched.—
Howard Garrett,
Dallas News,
16 Aug. 2021
Verb
-
One of them, Amy, a blond child with limp ponytails and a thin dress that looks like it might have been stained, stands outside a porch door, her fists balled up, mouth open, angry or unhappy or both.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
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These areas are most productive on sunny days or when the water’s stained.—
Joe Cermele,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Moving a blade back and forth to try to saw biscuits apart will make their layers stick (and ruin the rise).—
Ella Quittner,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Ruggeri says that, in comparison to saw palmetto, which gets far more attention.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spotted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotted. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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