as in sprinkling
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
the sunlight falling through the lace curtain stippled her face
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Example Sentences
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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
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
Verb
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Some suggest sprinkling it on the soil around your plants to keep slugs away, but baking soda has the potential of seeping into the soil and damaging roots.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
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But in 2026, simply sprinkling in a few whimsical accents isn’t quite enough.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Umbrellas are dotting the viewing area as a Marine band entertains guests.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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And some nail artists use a dotting tool or a thin nail brush dipped into the thick gel to fashion their dew-like beads.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Allow the area to dry and repeat the process if visible mold or staining remains.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
25 Apr. 2026
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If your books have already been affected, the staining will likely remain—even after treatment—and mold may return, Fifield warns.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One day later, Smith shared a video of Cline dyeing Easter eggs while his mom sang and danced.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
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For many fans — including plenty in the audience with neon green or pink hair — dyeing your own hair at home is part of self-discovery.—
Deborah Sengupta Stith,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Overhead watering may cause flowers to droop or spotting on petals; certain species are more subject to disease if watered from above.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
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The drones are designed to perform autonomously or via remote control while doing such things as stalking submarines, spotting mines and serving as advance scouts for aircraft carriers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stippling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stippling. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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