SPOTTING Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

spotting 1 of 2

noun

as in discovery

the act or process of sighting or learning the existence of something for the first time the spotting of a new bird is always a thrill for an avid bird-watcher

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spotting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of spot

as in sprinkling

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 noticing

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 spraying

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 spotting

Noun

Kesha’s raccoon spotting comes shortly after a wild raccoon with a spine deformity, nicknamed Jimothy, recently went viral after a Seattle resident’s video gained over 5 million views online. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026 Set along the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the city features a walkable historic downtown, scenic Harborwalk, quaint cafés and restaurants, and easy access to kayaking, boating, fishing, and wildlife spotting. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026 Overhead irrigation is discouraged to prevent leaf disease and spotting. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 July 2026 Here's a guide to the best beaches for surfing, swimming, and penguin-spotting. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026 Millions of drones are now being produced annually by both Ukraine and Russia, transforming reconnaissance, logistics, artillery spotting, and strike missions. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026 While drones have long played an integral role in Russian operations, they have traditionally been used for artillery spotting and precision-strike missions. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 There's also horseback riding, turtle spotting, and birdwatching for anyone in the group who'd rather skip the history lesson. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 12 June 2026 The restaurant was considered an upscale place for special occasions such as first dates, engagements and wedding receptions and was popular for celebrity spotting. — Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026

Verb

Both come down to spotting opportunities where others see problems, building resilience, staying curious, and taking action without being asked to. — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 In his short time in the big time, Hill’s been able to weed out the grifters and users, spotting the BS a mile away. — Katherine Turman, SPIN, 21 Aug. 2026 Here, thick jungles offer unique adventures, from spotting wildlife like jaguars and tapirs to swimming beneath waterfalls or summiting Victoria Peak, the country’s second-highest mountain. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026 The sensitivity of the JWST has allowed astronomers to finally give these smaller stars a chance to shine and stand out, like spotting an incredible piece of architecture in a vast metropolis of glass and steel. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Keep in mind that tonight’s waxing gibbous moon will be 60 percent illuminated, which could make spotting fainter auroras tricky. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 20 Aug. 2026 Paddleboard around the island while spotting great blue herons and Key deer. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026 Tony Donatell has a knack for spotting business opportunities that others might overlook. — Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026 But periods of thick high clouds and some haze could make spotting meteors a bit more difficult over the next few nights. — Cutter Martin, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotting

Noun

There have been no arrests made in relation to the death, police told CNN, but the father of one of Fortune’s children was arrested shortly after the discovery of her body on unrelated weapons charges, jail records show.

— Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
In addition to the battle with the young digital creator, one transformed Julie’s discovery of her Italian American roots into a Goodfellas parody.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of discovery

Verb

Wheat, rice, and corn flours are the three most common options for sprinkling over your soil.

— Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 14 Aug. 2026
But by the 1960s, the techniques of Central Texas — sprinkling briskets with salt and pepper and cooking them over indirect heat — started to become more commonplace.

— Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of sprinkling

Verb

Hallie Malitsky, founder of Hallie Rose Design, is also noticing that runways are spilling inspo beyond Fashion Week.

— Maria Sabella, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026
Selling stock to buy jewelry, homes About 9 miles east of Belnap's office, a very different kind of business is noticing a similar trend.

— CJ Haddad,Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of noticing

Verb

Avoid spraying liquids directly to prevent damage to internal components and ports.

— Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026
If additional hold is needed, Marjan recommends spraying Paul Mitchell Firm Hold Super Clean Extra Hairspray on the roots and brushing back before wrapping a second elastic around everything.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of spraying

Noun

The findings were presented at ACS Fall 2026, the American Chemical Society’s fall meeting held in Chicago from August 23 to 27.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Other findings of the report show that 94% of organizations are worried about the economy, 79% cite rising cybersecurity threats, and just half feel confident managing data-security risk as AI becomes embedded in benefits administration.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of finding

Verb

Deficits in Arizona will be as common as saguaros dotting the landscape.

— Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
The scoring was tit for tat to the end, with winger Stravino Jacobs and captain Marcell Coetzee dotting down for the Bulls, and Carter and Wallace Sititi replying for New Zealand's second straight 50-pointer.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of dotting

Verb

Actual Roman ruins As for those interested in seeing legitimate sites, Arya recommends Verona for an amphitheater, or Aquileia, two and a half hours northeast on Veneto’s border with Friuli.

— Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Major departures included releasing Cousins, parting ways with linebackers Troy Andersen and Kaden Elliss, and seeing veteran safety Justin Simmons head into retirement.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of seeing

Noun

The settings screen contains buttons for controlling the lights, motion detection, and motion alerts.

— John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026
Military working dogs are routinely used in roles including explosives detection, patrol operations, search missions and force-protection duties.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of detection

Browse Nearby Words

spottily

spotting

spotty

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Spotting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotting. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of spotting

noun

verb

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