1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
only spotty business failures marred the economic boom
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dotted
marked with spots
Dalmatians are spotty dogs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spotty
Carr blamed communication failures, saying that cell phone service at Camp Mystic is spotty even in clear weather.
—
Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2025
However, a few spotty rain showers cannot be ruled out, especially in west-central Ohio and areas near and south of I-71 toward the Ohio River.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 11 July 2025
Peter Zay | Anadolu | Getty Images The Natural State's susceptibility to severe weather — like a spring tornado outbreak in 2023, the most recent full year of grid reliability data available — is not helping the Arkansas grid's already spotty record.
—Scott Cohn, CNBC, 18 July 2025
Parts of the county also have spotty cell service or none at all.
—Morgan Chesky, NBC news, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spotty
Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2025
However, a few spotty rain showers cannot be ruled out, especially in west-central Ohio and areas near and south of I-71 toward the Ohio River.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 11 July 2025
Peter Zay | Anadolu | Getty Images The Natural State's susceptibility to severe weather — like a spring tornado outbreak in 2023, the most recent full year of grid reliability data available — is not helping the Arkansas grid's already spotty record.
—Scott Cohn, CNBC, 18 July 2025
Parts of the county also have spotty cell service or none at all.
—Morgan Chesky, NBC news, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spotty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotty
Adjective
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Rogers continued to make sporadic appearances on General Hospital throughout the next decade, and since 2019, had appeared as a recurring character.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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This approach is safer and more sustainable than sporadic AI projects or the unregulated use of tools.—
Mike Kiersey,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Yet intermittent fasting can upset the menstrual cycle, and women lose muscle mass from caloric restriction more rapidly than men.—
Tad Friend,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
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If so, intermittent fasting will trigger helpful hormonal changes.—
Bryant Stamford,
The Courier-Journal,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Cast-iron pots and pans require occasional seasoning to restore a fading nonstick surface.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
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True leadership development isn’t about checking a box with occasional training.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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As observed through their youngest daughter as the film’s protagonist, a family of six’s move to a new home seems to trigger erratic, dangerous behavior in their oldest son.—
Josh Slater-Williams,
IndieWire,
6 Aug. 2025
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The tech industry can be easy to hate—the erratic CEOs, the biased algorithms, the environmental damage.—
Sarah Rose Etter,
The Atlantic,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotty. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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