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
Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
These color changes can help scientists understand the composition of minerals on the surface, according to NASA, because while there is plenty of satellite imagery of the moon, the human eye is better at spotting the changes of color.
—Brendan Byrne, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
Saara, you’re known for spotting artists early.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
With their mission well past the halfway point, the Artemis crew is now getting a rare and striking view of the Moon, spotting features no human has observed this way before.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
Lunar experts Back here on Earth, a team of scientists are assisting the crew in spotting features on the moon, from cratering and volcanism to scouting out evidence for lunar ice deposits.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Common Mistakes to Avoid To prevent yourself from getting sprayed, our experts recommend avoiding the following mistakes when spotting a skunk on your property.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
The senior guard teamed up with Jasper Floyd to do all the scoring in a game-ending 13-0 run for the Mountaineers (21-14) after spotting the Sooners (21-16) the first six points in OT.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Delighting in beautiful rose blooms, and the highlight of spotting lady beetles, birds and other beneficials in the garden who help us with pest management reminds us that all might still be right with the world.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 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
An allergist shared tips on spotting the difference and reducing exposure during peak pollen weeks.
—Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
These color changes can help scientists understand the composition of minerals on the surface, according to NASA, because while there is plenty of satellite imagery of the moon, the human eye is better at spotting the changes of color.
—Brendan Byrne, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
Saara, you’re known for spotting artists early.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
With their mission well past the halfway point, the Artemis crew is now getting a rare and striking view of the Moon, spotting features no human has observed this way before.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
Lunar experts Back here on Earth, a team of scientists are assisting the crew in spotting features on the moon, from cratering and volcanism to scouting out evidence for lunar ice deposits.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Common Mistakes to Avoid To prevent yourself from getting sprayed, our experts recommend avoiding the following mistakes when spotting a skunk on your property.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
The senior guard teamed up with Jasper Floyd to do all the scoring in a game-ending 13-0 run for the Mountaineers (21-14) after spotting the Sooners (21-16) the first six points in OT.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Delighting in beautiful rose blooms, and the highlight of spotting lady beetles, birds and other beneficials in the garden who help us with pest management reminds us that all might still be right with the world.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotting
Noun
-
In her telling, the process of defining colors is intertwined with the arc of American modernization through industrialization, war, and scientific discovery.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The discovery, made using preliminary data, demonstrates Rubin's ability to scan the sky quickly and deeply.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To add chia seeds to your diet, try sprinkling them over your oatmeal or yogurt parfait.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Neutralize Trash Can Odors Cut odors from the kitchen trash by periodically sprinkling baking soda in as waste accumulates.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Women suffering through the hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes and sleep problems that can come with menopause — all while looking in the mirror and noticing signs of aging — are being bombarded with products.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
But people in the capital began noticing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the Ring video, a person dressed in black pants and a gray T-shirt, with a gray sweatshirt draped over his shoulder, chases two dogs down a residential street, spraying them with pellets from what looks like a gel gun.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Ahead, find the 18 fragrances InStyle editors are spraying on with abandon this spring.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Because chimpanzees and bonobos are the closest genetic relatives to people, Mitani and Sandel think their findings offer lessons for humanity.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The state Public Utilities Commission would have to consider the audits’ findings before agreeing to raise customer rates to cover even more wildfire spending.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To recreate at home, use varying sizes of dotting tools, making sure to let each layer dry before applying the next.—
Georgia Day,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Come winter, beach towns like this one dotting the Atlantic Coast stretch of Florida surrounding Fort Lauderdale have long brimmed with French Canadian tourists and other snowbirds who arrive for warmth and sunshine.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That means residents are seeing larger chunks of their paychecks going to utilities compared to people in other places.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Sponsors began seeing themselves out on Monday, and the entire festival was quickly canceled after news of Ye’s ban broke on Tuesday.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The material included images taken with a cellphone, apparently to avoid detection on company devices.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Not all 87 candidates are expected to be confirmed, however, as some detections have lower confidence due to background contamination from unrelated stars, the researchers say.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spotting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotting. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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