Thesaurus results for DAPPLES

dapples 1 of 2

noun

plural of dapple

as in flecks

a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part the clouds threw dapples of shadow over the eerily quiet street

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dapples

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of dapple

as in sprinkles

to mark with small spots especially unevenly sunlight dappled the canopy of vines over our heads

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 dapples

Noun

The intricate diamond cuts and iconic Lismore pattern will cast elegant dapples of light across your table, while the weight of the crystal makes every clink feel even more satisfying. — Mina Dragani, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

The 155 guest rooms and suites, freshened up since their rock and roll days, have wood floors with the Hotel Chelsea monogram now inlaid; the sun dapples through ivory eyelet fabric on the windows; and the bathrooms are classically done with light and dark grey marble accentuated by bronze details. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026 Calling on a Rolodex of guest stars (Caroline Polachek, Lorde, Daniel Caesar), Hynes dapples his scenes in golden lo-fi. — Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dapples

Noun

The oversized jacket featured a furry white base adorned with flecks of silver, which beautifully mirrored the sumptuous coats on the runway.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026
Add the torn basil and process just until incorporated -- there will be flecks of green in the mixture.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of flecks

Verb

Kemery sprinkles the tiny seeds either in late fall or very early spring, when there’s still a chance of frost, since cold spells offer the best germination.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026
Thomson sprinkles critique throughout his book like seasoning unevenly applied to a gamey piece of meat.

— Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

Definition of sprinkles

Noun

The source was generally in good condition, but mold spots and dense clusters of small white specks required careful treatment.

— Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Breakouts can look like milder, painless white bumps or dark specks known as whiteheads and blackheads, or more painful red bumps and deeper cysts — a mark of cystic acne.

— Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of specks

Verb

Prepare to be dazzled from Warsaw’s highest viewing terrace atop Varso Tower, which proudly dots the skyline, before eating your way through the innovative food halls that define the coolest neighborhoods.

— Kasia Dietz, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Japanese linens top the bed, and designer furniture dots the living space.

— Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 1 May 2026

Definition of dots

Noun

Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark facial bands and gray or tan body patterned with black or brown blotches.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of blotches

Verb

Advocates argue carts are silent, occupy less space than tourist vans and buses, and don’t choke the air with exhaust that also stains historic monuments.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
The man lies a few yards behind them, but the image stains her field of vision.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of stains

Noun

Games like cornhole, ringer darts and Kubb — a lawn game involving teams tossing wooden blocks to knock over their opponents’ blocks — were set up on small turf patches.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2026
First comes the tightness and dullness, then the flaky patches around my cheeks.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of patches

Verb

Vik spots it when Christy asks him to help her reverse-image-search Bo’s face.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
If someone spots the morality police approaching, English lessons are wiped from the whiteboard in seconds, and notebooks are replaced with needlework.

— Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of spots

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dappled

dapples

dappling

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“Dapples.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dapples. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dapples

noun

verb

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