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

Kesha’s raccoon spotting comes shortly after a wild raccoon with a spine deformity, nicknamed Jimothy, recently went viral after a Seattle resident’s video gained over 5 million views online. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

Set along the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the city features a walkable historic downtown, scenic Harborwalk, quaint cafés and restaurants, and easy access to kayaking, boating, fishing, and wildlife spotting. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026

Overhead irrigation is discouraged to prevent leaf disease and spotting. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 July 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

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

Verb

Joe Louis called to his wife, spotting her waiting for him at the Los Angeles airport. — Kelefa Sanneh, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026

After years of exploring national parks across the country—from early mornings in Acadia to unforgettable days spotting wildlife in Yellowstone—I’ve found that no two parks require you to pack the same way. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026

That will require his methods for spotting when AI is genuinely safe, not just acting so, improve as quickly as the models themselves. — Harry Booth, Time, 7 Aug. 2026

Unlike more programmatic itineraries on big ships, those offered by UnCruise are often looser, based on weather conditions or wildlife spotting opportunities, which are a priority for the company. — Scott Laird, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026

The company believes this approach can reduce the time between spotting an underwater contact and making tactical decisions. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

After spotting the photo on the wall, Story’s grandchildren shared it on TikTok. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026

Because humans have an extremely difficult time spotting the difference between authentic images and deepfakes, the crisis is all the more difficult to stop. — New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2026

Whatever Holmes is toting or throwing over her shoulders, women across the major East Coast cities are spotting and swiftly adding to cart. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 31 July 2026