stipple

verb

ˈsti-pəl How to pronounce stipple (audio)
Definition of stipplenext
as in to dot
to mark with small spots especially unevenly the sunlight falling through the lace curtain stippled her face

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stipple Yellow stippling on plant leaves and sticky honeydew residue can be signs of pests, but pests can also cause leaf wilting and stunted growth. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026 Two pumps on the back of my hand did the trick, stippling it across my red-speckled cheeks and around my nose. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2025 Inside the passage, the lips of water beyond my torchlight are coal black, stippled with freckles of sediment. — Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025 The yellowing, eventually turning to brown, starts with stippling or tiny dots on the foliage where mites have pierced the leaves’ epidermis with their stylets or sucking mouthparts. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stipple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stipple
  1. dot
  2. sprinkle
  3. stain
  4. marble
  5. dye
Verb
  • So many faux-drone overhead flights across the Thames, dotted with pretty little boats!
    — Michael Phillips, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Featuring various zones of native vegetation alongside bougainvillea and jacarandas, the park is dotted with generous public seating and has an amphitheater for outdoor events or general lounging.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of dot
Verb
  • The foam men were meant to be sprinkled throughout the city near any event tied to Quebec New York 2001.
    — Jesse McLaren, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Manári Taverna's skioufichta—a thick, brothy pasta dish sprinkled with cheese—is perfect with a glass of red wine, Agapi says.
    — Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of sprinkle
Verb
  • Several others said the incident has stained India’s credibility and the Hindu religion.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
  • That one throw, aided by some controversial officiating, helped Michigan avoid a loss that would have stained its entire season.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of stain
Verb
  • The Parthenon marbles date to the 5th century BCE and were originally created for the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The meat on the bones varies in thickness and, thanks to marbling and tough connective tissue, short ribs are ideal for slow cooking.
    — Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of marble
Verb
  • Every piece — the pleated wrap top, the shorts adorned with trailing shards of silk chiffon — was hand-dyed or painted and then covered in Swarovski crystals.
    — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Hermès Himalaya bags are considered the brand’s rarest styles, as they’re crafted from crocodile skin and are hand-dyed to create their signature gradient pattern.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of dye

Browse Nearby Words

stipends
stipple
stippled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stipple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stipple. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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