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
While out on walks in Dallas’ Uptown, people often stop Alison Roche to ask about her brown, dapple, floppy-eared dachshund.
—Dallas News, 9 May 2022
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 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
While out on walks in Dallas’ Uptown, people often stop Alison Roche to ask about her brown, dapple, floppy-eared dachshund.
—Dallas News, 9 May 2022
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 dapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dapple
Noun
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All of the captive adults have been named after stars, because the white flecks on their black stomachs look like constellations in the night sky.—
Nathan Rott,
NPR,
27 May 2026
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The patient noted tiny gray flecks drifting across his field of vision a week ago.—
Peter Ubel,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Place 3 avocados, halved, pits removed, cut side up, 2 plum tomatoes, halved through stem ends, cut side up, 1 bunch scallions, and 1 jalapeño on a rimmed baking sheet; drizzle lightly with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt.—
Hana Asbrink,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 June 2026
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Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl; sprinkle over batter in the pan.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 May 2026
Noun
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The numerous bright red dots strewn around M88’s spiral arms are old stars, while the pink and blue represent star clusters and dust clouds.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
30 May 2026
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Patterns range from stripes to polka-dots to florals, and the swim dress is available in sizes XS to 22 plus.—
Claire West,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Verb
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But staining showed no RNA or DNA molecules, indicating that the cells were definitely dead.—
Siddhant Pusdekar,
Quanta Magazine,
1 June 2026
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The Bruins’ bat boy’s tears stained the front of Cholowsky’s jersey as his sobs grew heavier by the second.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Most astronomers now agree that each of these minuscule crimson specks—which bear a striking resemblance to enormous, faraway stars—actually has a burgeoning black hole at its center.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
27 May 2026
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There are blue spots, specks, scratches, flares, and bits of crud in almost ALL of the Apollo photos.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The 21st century has yielded no shortage of stylish horror marbled with devious veins of pitch-dark humor — Peter Strickland’s In Fabric, Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook, Halina Reijn’s Bodies Bodies Bodies, Sam Raimi’s Drag Me to Hell, pretty much every Jordan Peele feature.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
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Brisket is a tough, richly marbled cut that only turns tender after hours of low-and-slow cooking, when connective tissue breaks down and fat renders into the meat.—
Paula Disbrowe,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Soon, red blotches were sprouting on his skin.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
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That became a mere blotch on the ugly outing, as the error did not figure into any scoring when Brice Turang followed with a one-out double and Gary Sánchez with a two-out double.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Hezbollah upped its campaign as well, peppering Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and areas of northern Israel with drones and rocket attacks, according to statements from the group.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
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Two years ago, Guardiola sent Kyle Walker to invite Warnock up to his office after the long-serving manager had been working on a television broadcast, and started peppering him with questions.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dapple. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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