as in fleck
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
the clouds threw dapples of shadow over the eerily quiet street
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to sprinkle
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
sunlight dappled the canopy of vines over our heads
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dapple
Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 17 Nov. 2022
Piglet is a Chihuahua-dachshund mix, with a genetic condition called double dapple that causes eyesight and hearing difficulties.
—Susan Dunne, courant.com, 29 Jan. 2022
Julie Tremaine, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Venturing so close to the splattering surf that her tight-fitting jeans are dappled with wet.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dapple
Noun
Gleaming spots caused by methane ice clouds in the planet's atmosphere dapple its lower half.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 17 Nov. 2022
Piglet is a Chihuahua-dachshund mix, with a genetic condition called double dapple that causes eyesight and hearing difficulties.
—Susan Dunne, courant.com, 29 Jan. 2022
Verb
Dakota appears to have dappled in acting before working on other creative ventures.
—Julie Tremaine, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Venturing so close to the splattering surf that her tight-fitting jeans are dappled with wet.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dapple
Noun
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Santo My Palo can best be described as an otherworldly nude shade with multicolored glittery flecks suspended in the gel that reflect light for a mega-watt sparkle.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
27 May 2025
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The formula—which sparkles in the bottle with rose-gold flecks of glitter—is made more indulgent yet with its gourman, coconut-milk scent.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
23 May 2025
Verb
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There are access points sprinkled across the waterfront.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
23 May 2025
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To add a Tajín or salt rim, sprinkle a thin layer of Tajín or fine sea salt into a shallow bowl or plate.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
20 May 2025
Noun
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Connecting the data dots In some regions, such as the U.S. Midwest, roads are arranged on a grid that reflects land survey lines.—
Chris Simon,
The Conversation,
22 May 2025
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Michaela immediately connects the dots from her creeping assistant to Ethan’s nearby house and is disappointed and infuriated.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Plus, the matte, two-tone color scheme helps resist staining, maintaining the spoons' stylish appeal over time.—
Toby Rose,
Parents,
22 May 2025
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Then, once completed, pasting begins, where mud from the henna plant is placed atop the area to stain.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
22 May 2025
Noun
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The whole process is more NASA than NASCAR in that there’s not a speck of grease or oil on the bright, white vinyl flooring and everybody’s hands are clean.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2025
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Or a percentage of a fraction of a risk — better lock him up, than risk a speck of backlash.—
David Katz,
IndieWire,
15 May 2025
Verb
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There’s a nice mix of experience and youth marbled through the lineup, with Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers leading the offence.—
Allan Mitchell,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
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Dunk them into a water marbling bath, then paint the tops metallic and add a satin bow to hang them.—
Amy Panos,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Some leaf-mining insects make distinct patterns, like squiggles or serpentine shapes, while others make irregular blotches, like this species.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
8 May 2025
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Black panthers, as they are colloquially named, are a color variation of a leopard with fully black fur or large blotches of black spots on a dark background color, according to Britannica.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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McCollum relayed the report to then-Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson, who peppered him.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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The water is fed by 72-degree springs, so if your lungs are up for it, pepper the relaxation under the sun with some underwater forays.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dapple. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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