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
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Recent Examples of stipple
Swipe directly onto the hollows of your cheeks and temples, then blend up and out with a stippling brush to keep the lift high and defined.
—
Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 12 July 2025
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One A game of vivid Canadian wilderness stippled with salmon sunsets and flashes of evergreens, The Long Dark offers an achingly beautiful survival experience, but a brutal one nonetheless.
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 9 July 2025
Healthy gums often have stippling, small, shallow grooves like an orange peel.3
Unhealthy gums are looser and darker than healthy gums.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 29 May 2025
His go-to technique starts with tailoring prep to skin type, stippling in foundation, and using strategic spot-concealing.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stipple
Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 12 July 2025
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One A game of vivid Canadian wilderness stippled with salmon sunsets and flashes of evergreens, The Long Dark offers an achingly beautiful survival experience, but a brutal one nonetheless.
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 9 July 2025
Healthy gums often have stippling, small, shallow grooves like an orange peel.3
Unhealthy gums are looser and darker than healthy gums.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 29 May 2025
His go-to technique starts with tailoring prep to skin type, stippling in foundation, and using strategic spot-concealing.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stipple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stipple
Verb
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The surface, dynamic and shimmering in its movement, is dotted with small pill packets and fake eyelashes fastened into place—static objects disrupting the fluid’s momentum.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
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Outside the resorts, visitors can enjoy hiking and snowshoeing along scenic trails at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, skiing in nearby Jiminy Peak, or exploring Lenox's quaint downtown dotted with independent shops and restaurants.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Brush top of crust with egg, then sprinkle remaining ⅓ cup sliced almonds over in a thin layer.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
For powder, dampen the fabric and then sprinkle powder on each stain.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Wearing kitchen gloves to keep your hands from staining, knead 7 oz.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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In testing on human teeth that were artificially stained with tea and coffee, the researchers found that a total of four hours of brushing showed visible whitening, while 12 total hours of brushing led to teeth that were nearly 50% whiter than those in a control group.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Prime rib is a desirable cut of beef, known for its rich flavor and marbling from fat.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
15 Jan. 2026
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Private lessons in the art of Ebru, the Ottoman art of marbling, are also available upon request.—
Jackie Caradonio,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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When John commands Cal to cut his long hair, Cal rebels by dyeing it platinum and trimming it into a chin-length bob.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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Colored smoke, such as the green plumes, are typically only colorful due to a chemical that dyes the smoke and is not considered more dangerous.—
Minneapolis Star Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stipple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stipple. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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