sprinkle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of sprinklenext
1
as in rainfall
a light or fine rain decided it was not worth carrying an umbrella for just a sprinkle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in handful
a small number received only a sprinkle of suggestions for the name of the school mascot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sprinkle

2 of 2

verb

ˈspriŋ-kəl How to pronounce sprinkle (audio)
1
as in to spray
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on sprinkle the newly seeded lawn with water

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to dot
to mark with small spots especially unevenly sprinkled the cake with bits of coconut

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 sprinkle
Noun
The 5-point freckle stamp sprinkles color across the cheeks and nose for an effortlessly natural look with fool-proof application. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025 As Ever sold $14 crepe mix and $14 shortbread cookie mix with flower sprinkles. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Push the button and voila – exactly the right flavorings are sprinkled down into your recipe. — Michael Franco, New Atlas, 7 Apr. 2025 Not exactly despair, but resignation set in, as though sheltering in the basement and sprinkling the children with holy water were to be the accommodating ministrations. — Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sprinkle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprinkle
  1. rainfall
  2. handful
  3. spray
  4. dot
  5. drizzle
  6. couple
  7. pepper
  8. stain
Noun
  • In addition to strong winds, hail and tornadoes, the severe weather system dropped potentially record rainfall in areas unaccustomed to flooding.
    — Jade Walker, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Clark said the more recent atmospheric river that dumped record rainfall across multiple states did not reach the level of the 1937 storm, but the system was more widespread than the one in 1937.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of rainfall
Noun
  • Nabulsi’s inter-generational drama is carefully composed, though the movie’s other subplots (concerning its handful of American and British characters) tend to be more stilted.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • As ever, though, the gains are far from uniform, and a handful of states continue to account for an oversized share of the carnage.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of handful
Verb
  • Never spray pesticides to keep insects away from your feeder.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Each machine has two or three spray arms, at least one on the bottom and one on the top: This is where the detergent-y water comes from.
    — Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of spray
Verb
  • With cranes dotting the skyline and modern buildings materializing everywhere, one uniquely sweet reminder of a simpler Boise remains downtown.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 17 Apr. 2025
  • As a beautiful bonus, the anthuriums, orchids and philodendrons dotting the grounds guarantee the hotel looks gorgeous all year.
    — Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of dot
Noun
  • Fresh raspberries add a juicy burst, granola brings the crunch, and a drizzle of honey ties it all together.
    — Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Remove the hot chocolate from the heat, and add a drizzle of your favorite sweetener, such as maple syrup or honey.
    — Jillian Kubala, Health, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of drizzle
Noun
  • Eccles explained to Newsweek that the couple originally hoped to renovate the space.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The former couple are parents to two sons: Bix and Bo Bear.
    — Francesca Gariano, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of couple
Verb
  • Then, on Monday, a series of billboards advertising the album peppered the main roads into Stillwater, where Turnpike co-headlines this weekend with Ragweed for more than 180,000 ticketholders.
    — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2025
  • That was apparent even in the first period, as the Canucks — a team that’s struggled enormously all season to generate looks and scoring chances — peppered their old teammate DeSmith with all manner of quality chances.
    — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of pepper
Verb
  • If Bonhoeffer’s example is used to justify more far-right Christian violence in America, that would be another tragedy — and a cruel irony that would stain the legacy of a man who gave up everything to confront a tyrant.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Pérez's manager, Enrique Paulino, spoke to reporters at the scene, his shirt stained with blood.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of stain

Browse Nearby Words

springy
sprinkle
sprinkled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sprinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprinkle. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on sprinkle

Nglish: Translation of sprinkle for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All