Synonyms of spotting

spotting 1 of 2

noun

as in discovery

the act or process of sighting or learning the existence of something for the first time

the spotting of a new bird is always a thrill for an avid bird-watcher

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discovery
• finding
• detection
• exploration
• awareness
• unearthing
• disclosure
• revelation
• invention
• exposure
• creation
• notice
• uncovering
• espial
• unveiling
• rediscovery

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loss
• disappearance
• hiding
• concealment

spotting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of spot

1

as in sprinkling

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

• sprinkling
• dotting
• staining
• peppering
• dyeing
• flecking
• blotching
• dappling
• mottling
• shooting
• stippling
• speckling
• specking
• splotching
• freckling
• striping
• marbling
• streaking
• blotting
• interspersing
• barring
• banding
• spattering
• studding
• setting
• bespattering

2

as in noticing

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

• noticing
• seeing
• eyeing
• regarding
• viewing
• sighting
• observing
• watching
• remarking
• catching
• spying
• noting
• looking (at)
• distinguishing
• witnessing
• perceiving
• discerning
• beholding
• identifying
• espying
• descrying
• scanning
• getting a load of
• considering
• marking
• setting eyes on
• laying eyes on
• studying
• surveying
• inspecting
• examining
• picking out
• scrutinizing
• attending (to)
• heeding
• making out
• glimpsing
• glancing (at)
• peering (at)
• picking up
• minding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignoring
• disregarding
• neglecting
• missing
• passing over
• overlooking
• overpassing

3

as in spraying

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

• spraying
• sprinkling
• dotting
• peppering
• scattering
• strewing
• dusting
• sowing
• bestrewing
• drizzling
• dappling
• speckling
• flecking
• studding
• blanketing
• stippling
• spattering
• bespattering

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of spotting

Noun

The spotting is caused by minerals in water, soap residue, and body soil combining to create soap scum. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 28 June 2026

Here's a guide to the best beaches for surfing, swimming, and penguin-spotting. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026

Millions of drones are now being produced annually by both Ukraine and Russia, transforming reconnaissance, logistics, artillery spotting, and strike missions. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026

The Row founders coordinated with their purses, sunglasses, phones and dark outfits in a 2026 spotting. — Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026

While drones have long played an integral role in Russian operations, they have traditionally been used for artillery spotting and precision-strike missions. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

There's also horseback riding, turtle spotting, and birdwatching for anyone in the group who'd rather skip the history lesson. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 12 June 2026

The restaurant was considered an upscale place for special occasions such as first dates, engagements and wedding receptions and was popular for celebrity spotting. — Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026

Expect brisk mornings and evenings with pleasantly warm, often sunny afternoons that set the stage for activities like rafting, hiking, or wildlife spotting. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026

Verb

FireSat will help incident commanders get better information more quickly, and, unlike fire-spotting aircraft, the satellites can linger over a fire for days or weeks and aren’t hampered by high winds or smoke. — Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Tuxedo cats have a black and white patterned coat, which is caused by a piebald or white-spotting gene. — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 5 July 2026

Around Lake Tahoe, which straddles California and Nevada, several businesses reported spotting more visitors driving in from cities along the West Coast. — Mae Anderson, Fortune, 5 July 2026

The tool, developed by independent AI engineer Luke Geel, analyzes past results and players’ activity—from posture to blink rate—spotting connections that might be imperceptible to the average viewer but visible to top pros. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 3 July 2026

The new core skill is critiquing things, spotting the confident error, knowing when a plausible answer is the wrong one. — Elton Chan, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

How to Catch Hearing Loss Early A baseline hearing test in your 50s, even without symptoms, gives you a benchmark for spotting decline before that nine year treatment delay sets in. — Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026

On Wednesday, officers arrested the suspect after spotting him in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood, according to the police statement. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 24 June 2026

Prime Day 2026 is in full swing (running through Friday, June 26, this year), and our team has been spotting some spectacular deals — particularly in the beauty department. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 23 June 2026