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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of 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
Visitors explore natural landmarks like Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch and take part in outdoor activities including hiking, wildlife spotting, seal swimming and diving.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
24 June 2026
The lower the number, the brighter the object, with the human eye capable of spotting targets down to a magnitude of +6 from a dark sky location.
—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
23 June 2026
Once the toad is positively identified as the invasive species by spotting the poison glands behind its eyes, benzocaine or lidocaine ointment or spray can be used as anesthesia to ensure the toad doesn’t feel pain.
—
Amaia Gavica,
Miami Herald,
23 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
Onboard of Connor Zilisch spotting Patrick Mahomes in the crowd under caution.
—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
22 June 2026
And while the kids enjoy monkey spotting and fun activities, adults can indulge in fine dining, a spa treatment, and cultural experiences, all supported by personal ambassadors for a seamless stay.
—
Chelsea Adams,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Víg’s bond with Tarr began in 1984 when the director, already an emerging figure in Hungarian cinema, tracked him down after spotting him in a friend’s concert footage.
—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 June 2026
The sector is increasingly turning to the defense industry, spotting an opportunity to collaborate and capitalize upon the continent's rise in military spending.
—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
Noun
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
Visitors explore natural landmarks like Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch and take part in outdoor activities including hiking, wildlife spotting, seal swimming and diving.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Verb
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
The lower the number, the brighter the object, with the human eye capable of spotting targets down to a magnitude of +6 from a dark sky location.
—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
23 June 2026
Once the toad is positively identified as the invasive species by spotting the poison glands behind its eyes, benzocaine or lidocaine ointment or spray can be used as anesthesia to ensure the toad doesn’t feel pain.
—
Amaia Gavica,
Miami Herald,
23 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
Onboard of Connor Zilisch spotting Patrick Mahomes in the crowd under caution.
—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
22 June 2026
And while the kids enjoy monkey spotting and fun activities, adults can indulge in fine dining, a spa treatment, and cultural experiences, all supported by personal ambassadors for a seamless stay.
—
Chelsea Adams,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Víg’s bond with Tarr began in 1984 when the director, already an emerging figure in Hungarian cinema, tracked him down after spotting him in a friend’s concert footage.
—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 June 2026
The sector is increasingly turning to the defense industry, spotting an opportunity to collaborate and capitalize upon the continent's rise in military spending.
—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotting
Noun
-
While discovery is shielded from public view, subpoenaed information can be shared, which is how the I-Team obtained the statements.
-
Then, in European culture, Christianity appeared, a religion which made an astonishing discovery, namely, that the primary cause for everything—humans, animals, nature, fertility, the inanimate world, the universe, the cosmos—could be concentrated into one single point.
Verb
-
Clean the oven racks separately by spraying them with white vinegar and sprinkling them with baking soda.
-
During Tuesday’s practice, which was the first of three on-field sessions this week, the Dolphins opened up the play-action game during the first 11-on-11 period by sprinkling in some running plays.
Verb
-
By midsummer, many homeowners begin noticing plants popping up where their lawns have thinned.
-
The Property Brothers star, 48, got candid about previously letting his work bleed too much into his home life, to the point where his 4-year-old son, Parker, started noticing.
Verb
-
People try to cool down by standing in front of a mister spraying cool water during a heat wave in Rome near the Colosseum on June 26, 2026.
-
Sprinklers started spraying on the field just before the game got underway again and some players deliberately dosed themselves, a solid strategy considering the conditions.
Noun
-
Additional findings could change investigators' conclusions.
-
The findings also highlight an imbalance of power in the flight attendant training center, and the implications of this power dynamic for reporting alleged misconduct.
Verb
-
With mannequins dotting the courtyard, the Italian brand made a statement.
-
To achieve crisp dots and clean linework at home, Slynko recommends using a dotting tool and a thin detail brush, or reaching for a stamping plate.
Verb
-
The journey in seeing a friend’s city anew becomes another way of seeing home.
-
On June 9, witnesses reported seeing a man start a small brush fire in a field behind the Wal-Mart on Camino Arroyo, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
Noun
-
Through their foundation, the couple have donated at least $2 million to the medical centers that once employed them, funding early cancer detection and breast cancer technology, among other projects.
-
The detection comes as communities across the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta continue to grapple with the invasive species, which can rapidly reproduce and attach themselves to hard surfaces, clogging water intake pipes and damaging infrastructure while disrupting native ecosystems.
Cite this Entry
“Spotting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotting. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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