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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dappled
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
Sunlight Monstera obliqua prefers six to eight hours of daily, bright indirect light, diffused sunlight, or dappled sunlight to maintain optimal growth.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 Jan. 2026
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Two years after the last fire, burned sections of the 73-acre natural area bear charcoal stumps and scars, but the ground is also dappled in sedges and sunlight.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dappled
Adjective
This hardy perennial grows in dappled light or full shade.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
Sunlight Monstera obliqua prefers six to eight hours of daily, bright indirect light, diffused sunlight, or dappled sunlight to maintain optimal growth.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
All have green leaves dappled with white, yellow, or pale green.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Two years after the last fire, burned sections of the 73-acre natural area bear charcoal stumps and scars, but the ground is also dappled in sedges and sunlight.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dappled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dappled
Adjective
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Another six dead roaches dotted kitchen area light shields.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
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Moss wore a black, semi-sheer polka-dot blouse featuring delicate, dotted-mesh fabric that revealed a glimpse of skin underneath.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Relieved of their blindfolds, the men now wore heavy rucksacks filled with colored rocks representing their anger (red), guilt and shame (black), and sadness (blue).—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The woman saw a dark-colored sedan pull away from the scene.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Baristas sprinkled shredded phyllo dough over top heaps of cold foam.—
Jenna Thompson
April 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Original Glazed doughnut is dipped in blue vanilla icing, sprinkled with Oreo crunch and white nonpareils.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Her lab is pioneering colorful interactive models developed with an advanced MRI scan and other data from each patient.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
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There’s no such thing as having too many journals, so a personalized journal, along with a colorful new pen or two, would be perfect for creative types.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The biscuits, flecked with frilly sprigs of dill, are pulled together with sour cream, giving them tenderness and a mild tang.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
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Locked in a safe on her desk at Boston University’s Institute for Astrophysical Research is a shard of meteorite flecked with material older than the sun.—
James Dinneen,
Quanta Magazine,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The resulting hybrid has characteristics of both plants but with softer spines than agaves and the spotted patterns of manfreda plants.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Ohio quarantined for spotted lanternfly.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Phillipe’s teeth were often as wine-stained as his customers’.—
Sammy Loren,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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His hands were stained navy blue.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Korean Air, for its part, is leaning into culinary theater, with dishes like marbled-beef bibimbap, octopus rice, and abalone served on Armani/Casa tableware.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
28 Mar. 2026
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The wagyu, eringi mushroom and yuzu maki rolls are perhaps the most inventive dish; topped with a sliver of marbled Japanese beef, each morsel tastes like a bite-size burger.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dappled. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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