SPOTTED Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

spotted 1 of 2

adjective

ˈspä-təd

Definition of spotted

as in dotted

marked with spots the spotted tablecloth clashed with the stripes on the wallpaper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in colored

having blotches of two or more colors not surprisingly, the white cow and black bull had a spotted calf

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spotted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of spot

as in sprinkled

to mark with small spots especially unevenly to give the effect of sunlight on water, the artist spotted the lake in his painting with flecks of gold paint

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in noticed

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes I spotted both of them as they tried to sneak out the back door

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sprayed

to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on the TV networks had spotted reporters all over the state for the election

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 spotted

Adjective

Bites can cause rickettsia parkeri, a type of spotted fever. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026 The spotted fish thrashes angrily, disturbing the waters so that the pool’s edge laps against the rock. — Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026

Verb

Morissette has been spotted making other surprise appearances this summer. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026 Each of the objects can be spotted with a modest backyard telescope under dark sky conditions, which has made the Messier catalog a popular sightseeing checklist for amateur astronomers looking to explore the wonders beyond our solar system. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spotted

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotted

Adjective

Visual cues are both stripped down and strangely compelling, like the dotted line that runs from Nancy’s eyes to indicate her gaze.

— Air Mail, Air Mail, 3 Oct. 2026
Peghah Maleknejad, fashion director of Hero and Heroine Magazine, bought the dotted mesh long dress for $359 on her phone while waiting for the Alainpaul show to start.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of dotted

Adjective

Vivier’s signature buckle can be rendered in gold or silver, with colored brass available on select styles.

— Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Its cyan-colored vehicles will compete with Ubers, Lyfts and autonomous taxis to shuttle customers across busy streets and freeways.

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

Definition of colored

Verb

There’s Ellipse, a lineup of sculptural gold links sprinkled with diamond pavé; Modern Pavé, with its playful arrangements of diamonds; and SIX by Royal Asscher, an exclusive collection with the legendary Dutch diamond-cutting house.

— Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026
The Fort Worth list indicates restaurants mostly downtown, the Shops at Clearfork and a few sprinkled in the Stockyards.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of sprinkled

Verb

Earlier this week, a bystander at a local bar noticed his Meta Glasses.

— MacKenzie Sigalos,Annie Palmer, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026
The exact story of how coffee was discovered isn’t known for sure, but one popular legend says an Ethiopian goatherd named Kaldi noticed that when his goats ate from a red berry plant, they were infused with energy and stayed awake all night.

— Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of noticed

Verb

Prosecutors say Campbell then sprayed Mobley with mace and stabbed him in the neck.

— Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
The shared affinity was clear in the celebration, as Mesa sprayed Cash with alcohol, and Vilade and Erik Neander, the team’s president of baseball operations, embraced while Vilade was interviewed.

— Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of sprayed

Verb

Bookshelves are crammed with novels and almanacs, the wood boards of the ceilings stained dark in delicious contrast to the clean white walls and creamy linen furnishings.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The yellow color from the fenbendazole stained his white goatee.

— Trisha Thadani Kirsten Potter Tanya Pérez Devin Murphy, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of stained

Browse Nearby Words

spots

spotted

spotter

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Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of spotted

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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