1
as in spraying
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on
a hillside dotted with wildflowers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in sprinkling
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
the practice of some chefs of positioning a small portion of food in the center and dotting the rest of the plate with sauce
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dotting
The area put on a display of yellow aspen trees dotting the mountains between evergreens, their delicate leaves vibrating in the wind.
—
Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Sydney in the eighties was sometimes called the San Francisco of the Southern Hemisphere, known for its drag clubs and bathhouses dotting a downtown strip nicknamed the Golden Mile.
—Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Clean Mirrors If there are fingerprints and toothpaste remnants dotting your mirror, grab a Swiffer, glass cleaner, and a microfiber cloth.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
Sprinkled with strange roadside attractions dotting Nevada’s highways, Honnold’s new show combines exploration and culture to alter our view of the world, producers say.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
Tweens and teens not angling for a spin around the ice skating rink can hit The Hawk’s Nest, a new club with arcade games, a light-up dance floor, and non-alcoholic beverages, while the adults pick between the many bars, restaurants, and fire pits dotting the village.
—Grace Bastidas, Parents, 29 Sep. 2025
Each drive offered us the choice to head down into the valley—in search of the elusive black leopard or to visit the hippos dotting the riverbank—or up onto the plateau where the chance to see lions, cheetahs, zebras, and elephants awaited.
—Rebekah Peppler, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2025
Her makeup included sparkles lining her brow bone, thick clusters filling her lash line and rhinestones dotting her cheeks.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Jim Clash Today the beach is tranquil, with hotels and restaurants dotting the shoreline.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Sydney in the eighties was sometimes called the San Francisco of the Southern Hemisphere, known for its drag clubs and bathhouses dotting a downtown strip nicknamed the Golden Mile.
—Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Clean Mirrors If there are fingerprints and toothpaste remnants dotting your mirror, grab a Swiffer, glass cleaner, and a microfiber cloth.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
Sprinkled with strange roadside attractions dotting Nevada’s highways, Honnold’s new show combines exploration and culture to alter our view of the world, producers say.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
Tweens and teens not angling for a spin around the ice skating rink can hit The Hawk’s Nest, a new club with arcade games, a light-up dance floor, and non-alcoholic beverages, while the adults pick between the many bars, restaurants, and fire pits dotting the village.
—Grace Bastidas, Parents, 29 Sep. 2025
Each drive offered us the choice to head down into the valley—in search of the elusive black leopard or to visit the hippos dotting the riverbank—or up onto the plateau where the chance to see lions, cheetahs, zebras, and elephants awaited.
—Rebekah Peppler, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2025
Her makeup included sparkles lining her brow bone, thick clusters filling her lash line and rhinestones dotting her cheeks.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Jim Clash Today the beach is tranquil, with hotels and restaurants dotting the shoreline.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dotting
Verb
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Folklorist Thomas Keightley tells the tale of a kobold named Hödeken who was insulted by a kitchen boy who kept spraying water at him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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Iowa State researchers said spraying pyrethroid insecticides, such as Permethrin or Esfenvalerate, on the outside of buildings when the beetles appear may help prevent pest entry, especially for large infestations.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Vrabel is gunning for her, her team and anyone standing in his path, sprinkling salt on select wounds along the way.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
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TikTok creators and influencers have been filming themselves pouring honey onto a spoon, or even on the back of their hand, and sprinkling it with salt — many opting for natural options of both — and taking a dose before heading to the gym.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kuminga scored 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting, overwhelming defenders at the rim with his athleticism, and peppering in a slick catch-and-shoot jumper from the short corner for three points.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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The gap in government services will be painful, and Democratic senators and aides report constituents are already peppering them with questions about the shutdown.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Each clothing sample was subjected to various forms of physical and environmental degradation such as washing, aging and staining to determine how easily compounds could leach from fabrics onto the skin of the wearer.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Oct. 2025
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The researchers hope to develop a version that's safe, pleasant-tasting and suitable for large-scale production, without the drawbacks of current treatments like tooth staining, tartar buildup and taste changes in the mouth.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dotting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dotting. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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