speck 1 of 2

noun

ˈspek How to pronounce speck (audio)
Definition of specknext
1
as in fleck
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part a lizard with specks of white against a green body

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2
as in glimmer
a very small amount not a speck of explanation to accompany the book's pictures

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in particle
a very small piece a speck of dust was preventing the laser from reading the disc

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

speck

2 of 2

verb

as in to sprinkle
to mark with small spots especially unevenly dirt that had specked the windows of the factory for ages

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 speck
Noun
Our Test Kitchen loved this rich and hearty recipe—and most had no idea there wasn’t a speck of ground meat to be found. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026 For millions of people with geographic atrophy, the speck in their vision is far more literal and can eventually lead to blindness. — New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
When selecting a pattern, veined countertop patterns are the overwhelming favorite (75%), followed by 13% of homeowners choosing specked, and 12% choosing a uniform pattern. — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 13 Jan. 2026 Mayfield’s Best-Summer-Melon with Speck Mayfield chef Jon Sarmenta makes this version of melon and speck his own by roasting spice nuts for garnish and making a melon vinaigrette to drizzle all over the dish. — Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for speck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speck
  1. fleck
  2. glimmer
  3. particle
  4. sprinkle
  5. blotch
  6. shred
  7. bit
  8. dot
Noun
  • The soup itself has an almost lemon curd-like acidity and sweetness, and it’s laced with flecks of fresh corn and tiny diced pieces of zucchini.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Amid his vast responsibilities running all the departments in the Giants’ front office, Zaidi still found the time to pore over MLB Draft League statistics and look for flecks of gold.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of fleck
Noun
  • The polls offer a glimmer of hope for Democrats and their voters, who hope that the party can shrink the Republican majority in Congress – or capture it – this midterm season.
    — Emily R. Condon, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • While more muted in color than her later looks, the outfit shows an early glimmer of her future full-on sparkle.
    — Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of glimmer
Noun
  • Without ventilation, those particles settle on nearby surfaces like cabinets, walls, and countertops, creating a sticky film that builds up over time.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2026
  • If the event detected by this team was caused by the rare interaction between two WIMPs, this would tell scientists some things about these currently hypothetical particles.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of particle
Verb
  • However, the Tar Heels have some dangerous playmakers sprinkled around the roster, including sophomore running back Demon June and junior wide receiver Jordan Shipp, who had 84 yards against TCU last season.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Coltrane is also deeply interested in the Buddhist principles of karma and dharma, or the moral duties and obligations to a right way of life, which are sprinkled throughout the novel.
    — Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sprinkle
Noun
  • Crews are also using steam to remove blotches of chewing gum, which have turned black over time.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The next morning, a galaxy of itchy red bumps and blotches stretched from my shoulder to my hip.
    — Ben Crair, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
Definition of blotch
Noun
  • Some of these cabinet members have even maintained, without a shred of evidence, that Syria’s president, the former jihadist Ahmed al-Shara, is preparing to attack Israel.
    — Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026
  • But Michael Sanft, Davis’ defense lawyer, argued that the prosecution had no forensics, no eyewitness and not a single shred of physical evidence placing Davis in the Cadillac with the shooter.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of shred
Noun
  • But the tricky bit is doing so without eviscerating Congress’ regulatory powers across a lot of different dimensions, including criminal law, that the justices may also think important.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The terrific new album was played in its entirety during the middle portion of Squeeze’s set and evoked a little bit of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds in some spots.
    — David Chiu, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of bit
Verb
  • The train winds up Michigan’s west coast, offering brief but sweeping views of Lake Michigan and bisecting lush, Midwestern farmland dotted with trees resplendent in their autumn wardrobes.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The neighborhood cameras have prompted pushback in localities big and small, dotting red and blue states.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of dot

Browse Nearby Words

speciousness
speck
specked
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Cite this Entry

“Speck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speck. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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