dappled 1 of 2

adjective

ˈda-pəld How to pronounce dappled (audio)
variants also dapple
Definition of dapplednext
1
as in dotted
marked with spots a dappled fawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in colored
having blotches of two or more colors a forest that was vibrant with the dappled foliage of autumn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dappled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of dapple
as in sprinkled
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 dappled
Adjective
Their markings serve as camouflage, blending in with a dappled light pattern. — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 18 July 2026 For optimal outdoor care, provide dappled shade and water whenever the top inch of soil is dry. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026
Verb
Charlotte Tilbury Products Used on Kate Hudson Makeup artist Tonya Brewer dappled the $36 Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer under Kate Hudson’s eyes for a crease-free base at the Oscars. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026 Windows with trees, hedges, or buildings partially obscuring the sun outside them may get medium light exposure, and the light may be dappled or filtered. — Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dappled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dappled
  1. dotted
  2. colored
  3. sprinkled
  4. colorful
  5. flecked
  6. spotted
  7. stained
  8. marbled
Adjective
  • The dotted centers of the doodle-looking flowers were instead clusters of spotlights that could point in different directions.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026
  • O’Connell Marsh will report to Andrea Scrosati, Fremantle’s Group COO and CEO Continental Europe, with a dotted line to Jens Richter, CEO Commercial and International, and will sit on the Global Leadership Team.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 31 July 2026
Definition of dotted
Adjective
  • Crete’s Elafonissi Beach topped Europe in a new global ranking thanks to its rare blush-colored sand, shallow lagoon, and remarkably clear water.
    — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Think subtle white hooks for a light-colored curtain, or even ones with small crystal detailing.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of colored
Verb
  • This week brought me from Belgian Gothic seminaries to Victorian mansions, with a few aggressively average $4,700 apartments sprinkled among them to keep us grounded.
    — Nora DeLigter, Curbed, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Apple Slices with Cinnamon and Nut Butter When the afternoon slump hits, enjoy crunchy apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon and dipped in nut butter.
    — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of sprinkled
Adjective
  • The beach and hillsides around it have a long and colorful history.
    — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The British broadcaster has done away with the graphic, colorful eye logo and replaced it with a more realistic eye as the new image for the reality TV competition.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of colorful
Verb
  • Family, friends and neighbors filled the frames with dancing and dominoes; their apartments painted in shades of mint, butter yellow and palomino pink, flecked with a patina cultivated by humidity and time.
    — Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026
  • Teal is coming out on top, with its mesmerizing mix of sea-blue and green undertones, as well as flamingo pinks flecked with iridescent shimmer particles.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 18 July 2026
Definition of flecked
Adjective
  • Because spotted skunks are relatively rare in California wildlife rehabilitation centers and in the surrounding area, there were no other skunks of his kind available to keep him company.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
  • Normally, doctors can detect spotted fever Rickettsia lanei by performing specialized laboratory tests on skin or blood samples.
    — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Definition of spotted
Verb
  • His youth was stained by dysfunction and neglect, adverse childhood experiences that increase the risk of mental illness.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The toes of the woman who wore it must have been stained red.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of stained
Adjective
  • Everything from the marbled carpets to the lime-green sofas and even the chinaware is the product of the 65-year-old French-Iranian émigré’s imagination.
    — Iain Martin, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The collection certainly taps into the trend for colored denim, offering offers sandy neutrals, frosted greys, soft pinks, marbled textures and vintage tints with brown and green tones.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of marbled

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dappled
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Cite this Entry

“Dappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dappled. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of dappled for Spanish Speakers

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