1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
only spotty business failures marred the economic boom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dotted
marked with spots
Dalmatians are spotty dogs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spotty
Also, cellphone coverage can get spotty in places.
—
Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
With strong storms expected to be spotty, the weather service urges everyone to stay alert and have several ways to receive warnings and weather updates.
—Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025
Local National Weather Service offices are calling for mostly clear skies across central and northern Michigan as well as the Upper Peninsula, though some areas could see clouds or spotty rain.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Some spotty storms will still be possible for South Florida going into next week, but these will not be as widespread or heavy -- making for a slightly drier pattern.
—Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spotty
Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
With strong storms expected to be spotty, the weather service urges everyone to stay alert and have several ways to receive warnings and weather updates.
—Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025
Local National Weather Service offices are calling for mostly clear skies across central and northern Michigan as well as the Upper Peninsula, though some areas could see clouds or spotty rain.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Some spotty storms will still be possible for South Florida going into next week, but these will not be as widespread or heavy -- making for a slightly drier pattern.
—Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spotty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotty
Adjective
-
Last winter was especially dry, and the monsoon was sporadic across the state this summer with above-normal temperatures.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Flowers nearly cover the plant in spring, followed by sporadic blooms throughout the season.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
However, satellite and supporting video filmed from a high rise on Al Rashid, a major road that runs through Gaza, shows tent camps remain dotted along the coastal road south of Gaza's port.—
Camilla Alcini,
ABC News,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Salesforce contract renewals often become routine exercises—reviewing user counts, negotiating minor discounts and signing on the dotted line.—
Buyan Thyagarajan,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Advertisement There have also been intermittent drug shortages that have affected doctors’ ability to quickly treat pregnant people with syphilis, Finley says.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
-
For a large utility like TVA, the exploration of fusion is part of a long-term strategy to identify reliable, on-demand, and non-emitting power sources that can operate alongside intermittent renewables like solar and wind.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Brightly colored berries are another strategy that plants have devised to disperse their seeds.—
Markis Hill,
Kansas City Star,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Well … are the requests for construction paper and colored pencils?—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Along the way, expect river views, a majestic fall color palette, and the occasional wildlife spotting.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Even an occasional rodent will appear, probably the single visitor that caused the suspension of the entire operation.—
Irv Erdos,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
After a period of wild and mostly erratic spending under Farhad Moshiri’s ownership left them in dire financial straits, the club are trying to rebuild cautiously under the Friedkin Group.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Young Marlins showed playoff potential this year but were too up-and-down erratic.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotty. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share