stippling

verb

Definition of stipplingnext
present participle of stipple
as in sprinkling
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 stippling 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 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 Spider mites cause yellowing or stippling on the leaves. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stippling
  1. sprinkling
  2. dotting
  3. staining
  4. dyeing
  5. spotting
Verb
  • The duo wants to be there for the good, the bad, and the questionably smelly while sprinkling some happy-go-lucky magic over all of it.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026
  • But instead of overwhelming players like a Ubisoft title, Nihei and his team take a more measured approach, sprinkling the quests after each major upgrade.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of sprinkling
Verb
  • There are countless other chullpas (round, stone structures that look something between a massive pizza oven and a small lighthouse) that house ancient remains, just dotting the foothills of the mountains here.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The neighborhood cameras have prompted pushback in localities big and small, dotting red and blue states.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of dotting
Verb
  • Foods like tomato sauce and chocolate can cause staining if they aren’t wiped up right away.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Her hobbies include quilting, gardening and refurbishing furniture with Bill, with Hiers often adding the finishing touches by staining and painting their projects.
    — Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of staining
Verb
  • The Grammy-winning singer has never shied away from dyeing her hair.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 30 May 2026
  • Any colors that can catch your eye from a plate (and make your mouth water) are guaranteed to make an impact in 2026; edible flowers are the key to organically dyeing drinks and desserts with different hues.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026
Definition of dyeing
Verb
  • Around that time, spotting it on nearby evenings or mornings will be extremely difficult.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The north end of the beach features Whiskey Creek, a quiet brackish river that is great for kayaking and occasionally spotting some manatees (though highly unlikely at this time of year).
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of spotting

Browse Nearby Words

stipples
stippling
stipulate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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