variants
also dapple
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
as in sprinkled
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
sunlight dappled the canopy of vines over our heads
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dappled
Liam Hess, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025
Houseplants can be a bit farther since many of our favorite houseplants like dappled or weaker light, but within two feet is a good rule.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2024
Day 5 Kyoto The Japanese are shocked to hear that there isn’t a word in English to describe the sight of dappled light filtering through the leaves of a tree, a phenomenon currently holding all but my offspring spellbound.
—Matt Goulding, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2024
Light In hot regions, cascade hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, such as dappled shade or shade beneath tall pine trees.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dappled
Adjective
As the twinkling, sostenuto piano of Daniel Blumberg’s score plays in the background, and slats of dappled light illuminate the elegant chair at the center of the space, the sleek cupboards Tóth has designed open up like the petals of a flower, revealing the minimal shelving underneath.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025
Houseplants can be a bit farther since many of our favorite houseplants like dappled or weaker light, but within two feet is a good rule.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2024
Day 5 Kyoto The Japanese are shocked to hear that there isn’t a word in English to describe the sight of dappled light filtering through the leaves of a tree, a phenomenon currently holding all but my offspring spellbound.
—Matt Goulding, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2024
Light In hot regions, cascade hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, such as dappled shade or shade beneath tall pine trees.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dappled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dappled
Adjective
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The dashboard is swathed in a flecked, mélange-style fabric that is based on a traditional Japanese hand-weaving technique called Nishijin-ori.—
Mara Balagtas McIlwrath,
Car and Driver,
1 June 2023
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The melton coat sits over a flecked tweed suit—contrasting the matte outerwear with mottled textures beneath.—
Aleks Cvetkovic,
Robb Report,
21 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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However, thanks to advances in low-light performance, that’s all changed, with the latest models (and even those a few years old) able to take spectacular photos and impressive videos of colorful aurora.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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But their journey is all show and no stakes, while the visuals are over-wrought with dizzying CGI dreamscapes like a kaleidoscope of colorful slop.—
Staff Author,
EW.com,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The whole rug needs to get wet or colors in the fiber could migrate and result in a blotched look.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
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Its leaves are deciduous and sometimes white-blotched.—
Howard Garrett,
Dallas News,
16 Aug. 2021
Adjective
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Traditional elements mix with unexpected accents, such as a marbled ceiling treatment or modern lighting in Kaehler’s unique and highly livable spaces.—
Dan Howarth,
Architectural Digest,
17 Mar. 2025
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Queen Letizia’s coordinated look continued with the marbled wool trousers, which featured subtle pleating and a wide-leg silhouette.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dappled. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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