variants
also dapple
1
as in dotted
marked with spots
a dappled fawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in colored
having blotches of two or more colors
a forest that was vibrant with the dappled foliage of autumn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sprinkled
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
sunlight dappled the canopy of vines over our heads
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dappled
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025
Two seconds, three, all of us immobilized in shock while my son, the toddler, went down like a ship’s anchor, all the way down through nine feet of water to the dappled sloping bottom.
—T. Coraghessan Boyle, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Dried blood dappled his face, neck and bedsheets.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dappled
Adjective
Choose a location with six hours or more of sunshine daily, although dappled afternoon shade is perfect in hot climates.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025
Two seconds, three, all of us immobilized in shock while my son, the toddler, went down like a ship’s anchor, all the way down through nine feet of water to the dappled sloping bottom.
—T. Coraghessan Boyle, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
His skeleton is well preserved, his bones dappled with gooey-looking sediment.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Dried blood dappled his face, neck and bedsheets.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dappled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dappled
Adjective
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This reversible quilt has a hint of floral romance on one side and a more minimalist dotted print on the other.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
9 Oct. 2025
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Examples include dotted prints, the flat-thong sandal and the color yellow.—
Chloe Veltman,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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When not multi-colored with bespoke rainbows or other artists’ visions, two-tone exterior color patterns were also acceptable decades ago.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
26 Oct. 2025
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Don't clean colored or delicate fabrics like silk, electronics, or some types of metal.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Think a more year-round COTA, with a dash more exclusivity sprinkled in.—
Patrick Iversen,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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According to Deadline, Scorsone's eight-episode hiatus will happen consecutively as opposed to other cast members' screen time reductions that are sprinkled throughout the season.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Both the sleeves and hem of the pullover are decorated with ribbing to add contrast to the plain knit of the body, and the yarn is flecked to add vintage charm to this high-quality sweater.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
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It was filled with two-page illustrations of long necks and sweeping ochre landscapes, with clever reptilian faces and sinuous tails, orange and green and flecked in black.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Because of its traditional design and neutral color palette, the sofa is the ideal base piece for colorful throw pillows and cozy blankets.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
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For a simple and fun option, go with this colorful Merry Christmas and Happy New Year card, filled with family photos.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The leather on the shoes appears to be slightly decayed, worn, cracked and brittle, while the laces and midsole are stained, giving a distressed, lived-in effect.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
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The outlet published photographs of first responders gathered around a scene on a Brazilian street, as well as an image of a white cow with horns and blood stained on its coat.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The whole rug needs to get wet or colors in the fiber could migrate and result in a blotched look.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
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Its leaves are deciduous and sometimes white-blotched.—
Howard Garrett,
Dallas News,
16 Aug. 2021
Verb
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Swathes of social media stars, including sessions with Twitch streamers, sports influencers and heads of digital media studios, speckled the lineup with talks on how to do creator content right.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Oct. 2025
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Created by James Beard Award winner and Bottega’s former pastry chef, Dolester Miles, the cake itself is speckled with ground pecans, which add texture and sweetness, which are brushed with simple syrup.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dappled. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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