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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of spotting
Tom Vanderbilt, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
This latest spotting, however, took place in Punta Mita, a peninsula on the Mexican Pacific coast.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
The first spotting of golden mussels was in October 2024.
—Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Head out onto the 1,500-foot pier for some fishing or wildlife spotting, or walk across the street to Pier Park for lunch or a little shopping to get out of the sun.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
Avoid getting water on African violet leaves, which can cause leaf spotting and encourage mildew.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026
Dry Your Shower and Close the Curtain Get rid of waterdrops on shower walls and doors to prevent mildew growth and water-spotting in about 30 seconds with a squeegee.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
This spotting confirms to conservationists that the elusive species is breeding successfully in southern Thailand.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
From caves and lakeside swims to wildlife spotting and more, this spot where Missouri meets Arkansas is the perfect place to spend your next break with kids.
—Kaity Velez, Parents, 23 Dec. 2025
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
The description noted that seeing even one oarfish near shore is rare and that spotting two in the same place is highly unusual.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Pittenger described first spotting the animals from a distance.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Rivkin and de Wit applied and received approval to use the James Webb Space Telescope, or JWST, the only observatory with a chance of spotting the asteroid before 2028.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
While others have shared my friend’s experience, a variety of factors—water temperature, visibility, the inscrutable whims of these mysterious creatures—can make spotting them a challenge.
—David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Set in East Anglia, Lovejoy is about a charismatic antiques dealer with an almost mystical knack for spotting genuine artefacts and scams.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
Schofield gained international recognition for a late ’80s jeans commercial that had her speeding through the desert in a black Ferrari, then screeching to a stop after spotting a strapping young man standing on the side of the road in jeans and a white T-shirt.
—Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Keeping binoculars steady for astronomy or wildlife spotting is one of the biggest barriers to accurate observations.
—Matt Morris, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
But the Singita Grumeti team, most drawn from the surrounding communities, are well drilled in spotting, and responding to, wildlife.
—Tom Vanderbilt, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
This latest spotting, however, took place in Punta Mita, a peninsula on the Mexican Pacific coast.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
The first spotting of golden mussels was in October 2024.
—Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Head out onto the 1,500-foot pier for some fishing or wildlife spotting, or walk across the street to Pier Park for lunch or a little shopping to get out of the sun.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
Avoid getting water on African violet leaves, which can cause leaf spotting and encourage mildew.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026
Dry Your Shower and Close the Curtain Get rid of waterdrops on shower walls and doors to prevent mildew growth and water-spotting in about 30 seconds with a squeegee.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
This spotting confirms to conservationists that the elusive species is breeding successfully in southern Thailand.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
From caves and lakeside swims to wildlife spotting and more, this spot where Missouri meets Arkansas is the perfect place to spend your next break with kids.
—Kaity Velez, Parents, 23 Dec. 2025
Verb
While 79% of homeowners feel confident in spotting early signs of winter damage, 66% wait until the problems are visible before taking action.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
The description noted that seeing even one oarfish near shore is rare and that spotting two in the same place is highly unusual.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Pittenger described first spotting the animals from a distance.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Rivkin and de Wit applied and received approval to use the James Webb Space Telescope, or JWST, the only observatory with a chance of spotting the asteroid before 2028.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
While others have shared my friend’s experience, a variety of factors—water temperature, visibility, the inscrutable whims of these mysterious creatures—can make spotting them a challenge.
—David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Set in East Anglia, Lovejoy is about a charismatic antiques dealer with an almost mystical knack for spotting genuine artefacts and scams.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
Schofield gained international recognition for a late ’80s jeans commercial that had her speeding through the desert in a black Ferrari, then screeching to a stop after spotting a strapping young man standing on the side of the road in jeans and a white T-shirt.
—Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Keeping binoculars steady for astronomy or wildlife spotting is one of the biggest barriers to accurate observations.
—Matt Morris, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotting
Noun
-
The discovery of the device prompted some evacuations of buildings in the area while the Bomb Squad assesses and removes the device.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Dog walkers recently stumbled across strange-looking footprints on a Scottish beach — a discovery that triggered an urgent archaeological excavation.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The recipe also suggests sprinkling some fresh thyme leaves on top of your Bacon Jam before serving for a hint of herby freshness—and to look pretty—but that’s optional.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Position the seeds about 2 to 3 inches apart, or speed up planting by blending the carrot seeds with fine sand or potting mix and sprinkling the mixture lightly and evenly along a planting row.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Linas, a runner, started the Creek Team OC Instagram account after noticing changes on his runs along San Juan and Trabuco creeks, where lush green reeds suddenly turned brown and lifeless.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Hadel proceeds to handcuff Brown behind his back before noticing wounds on his head producing a steady stream of blood onto the road below.—
Mathew Schumer,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There will be an Italian gelato machine whipping up fresh ice cream, a station spraying 24-karat gold onto miniature chocolate Oscars, and a live izakaya doling out traditional Japanese bites, as reported by Reuters.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Chopper 3 was over the scene where three boats were spraying water on the barge.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The preliminary finding prompted immediate calls for more information from the Pentagon.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
-
To confirm these findings, this new compound was also tested on rodents.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Although most of the towns and villages around them are under de-facto Hezbollah control, Qlayaa — like other Christian, Sunni Muslim and Druze communities dotting the bucolic hills of Lebanon’s south — had taken a resolutely neutral position.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
About 2 million barrels a day of that will go to domestic refineries dotting the Red Sea coast.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Offensively, the Cowboys were clearly comfortable seeing TCU’s style of defense for a third time.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Phillips also played a complete season in 2025 after seeing two separate significant injuries end his seasons in 2023 (Achilles) and 2024 (ACL).—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The city's gunshot detection system has recorded nearly 100 separate possible shootings in the City West block since the beginning of 2023, according to city data.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Chicago must also remove obstacles to effective policing, use technology such as the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system, and update and enforce curfew regulations.—
Juan Rangel,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spotting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotting. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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