dot 1 of 2

noun

ˈdät How to pronounce dot (audio)
Definition of dotnext
as in fleck
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part there was just a dot on the tablecloth where the food had spattered

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

dot

2 of 2

verb

ˈdät How to pronounce dot (audio)
1
as in to spray
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on a hillside dotted with wildflowers

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to sprinkle
to mark with small spots especially unevenly the practice of some chefs of positioning a small portion of food in the center and dotting the rest of the plate with sauce

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 dot
Noun
Every Experience Adds Another Dot Kaplan compares brand building to pointillism, the artistic technique in which individual dots ultimately form a larger image. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 The Extra Grip style adds silicone dots in the palm and fingers for improved traction. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
Over the years, the landscape of parking has changed rapidly in Boise as the population swelled; some surface parking lots that dotted the city have been replaced as city planners push for more efficient uses. — Idaho Statesman, 3 Aug. 2026 Several buildings dot the Western landscape, including three separate homes, plus both historical and modern barns. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dot
  1. fleck
  2. spray
  3. sprinkle
  4. blotch
  5. pepper
  6. stain
  7. speck
  8. spot
Noun
  • One image of her right knee showed flecks of blue plastic that prosecutors said came from an inflatable pool Burke used to collect blood while dismembering her body.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026
  • Someone unfamiliar with salt bread might even suspect a major baking error, seeing a questionably smooth croissant that entirely missed the lamination process, adorned with only a few flecks of salt acting as its saving grace.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
Definition of fleck
Verb
  • As officers worked to disperse traffic, prosecutors allege Stacer sprayed the officers' vehicle with a fire extinguisher.
    — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Despite his manic efforts to smash and spray them out of existence, the ever-multiplying cockroaches eventually overwhelm him.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of spray
Verb
  • For a glossy, sparkly finish, brush the edges of the pastry with egg wash and sprinkle all over with Turbinado sugar before baking.
    — Torie Cox, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026
  • One of the surprises aboard Beyond was the enviable art sprinkled throughout every nook and cranny.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
Definition of sprinkle
Noun
  • 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
  • Verticillium wilt causes similar blotches and yellowing.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
Definition of blotch
Verb
  • Our experts suggest using salt and pepper and adding herbs, spices, or citrus.
    — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The typical guests were generally older couples, average age somewhere around 55-65, peppered here and there with larger groups of friends or families.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
Definition of pepper
Verb
  • The toes of the woman who wore it must have been stained red.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Improperly Drying Flammable Items Drying clothes stained with any type of chemical stains such as gasoline, paint thinner, or acetone is a hazard.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of stain
Noun
  • By Pond Farm is now asking a speck under $4 million with Turpin Realtors/Forbes Global Properties.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 July 2026
  • Rather than waiting several years to look at the object through the VLT once more, Sutlieff, Bonse and their colleagues dove into older, archival imagery of the star system, looking for signs of their speck.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 July 2026
Definition of speck
Verb
  • Having spotted Sheepstealer earlier in the episode, Addam arrives with Rhaenyra to apprehend the wild dragon’s rider.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Despite the uncertainty, Bergvall remained professional on tour and was frequently spotted in Sydney with Gray, enjoying the sights on foot and by bike.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of spot

Browse Nearby Words

dossing (down)
dot
dotage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dot. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on dot

Nglish: Translation of dot 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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of invidious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
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 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?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All