as in blotch
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
a tie having eyespots of blue on a light gray background
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 eyespot
Peacock butterflies are distinguished by a series of striking eyespots on their wings, which serve to threaten or confuse potential predators.
—
Michael Franco, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2024
But why did some lineages evolve shell eyes rather than eyespots?
—Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
First, red eyespots appear; then the amorphous bodies coalesce and darken into their ferocious adult forms.
—Nala Rogers, Popular Mechanics, 9 Aug. 2023
Their long hindwing tails and eyespots combine to give them a look resembling an elephant’s face.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2023
First, Rowland and her co-author trained chicks to attack a mealworm hidden behind a paper printout of two eyespots at the end of a runway.
—Maddie Bender, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2023
Lacewings are among the first creatures known to have had eyespots.
—Jakob Vinther, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2017
Perhaps the most dramatic pattern to emerge during this time was the eyespot, a marking that resembles the eye of a different kind of animal and serves to startle predators approaching their prey at speed from a distance.
—Jakob Vinther, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2017
Normally, the eyespot fades as the fish matures.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 23 Aug. 2013
Michael Franco, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2024
But why did some lineages evolve shell eyes rather than eyespots?
—Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
First, red eyespots appear; then the amorphous bodies coalesce and darken into their ferocious adult forms.
—Nala Rogers, Popular Mechanics, 9 Aug. 2023
Their long hindwing tails and eyespots combine to give them a look resembling an elephant’s face.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2023
First, Rowland and her co-author trained chicks to attack a mealworm hidden behind a paper printout of two eyespots at the end of a runway.
—Maddie Bender, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2023
Lacewings are among the first creatures known to have had eyespots.
—Jakob Vinther, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2017
Perhaps the most dramatic pattern to emerge during this time was the eyespot, a marking that resembles the eye of a different kind of animal and serves to startle predators approaching their prey at speed from a distance.
—Jakob Vinther, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2017
Normally, the eyespot fades as the fish matures.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 23 Aug. 2013
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eyespot
Noun
-
The blotch of black fur around Bao Li's eyes is wider, with pointy tips that flare out more than Qing Bao's.—
Christopher Cann,
USA TODAY,
21 Jan. 2025
-
The spread of the blotches slowed, creeping to a stop.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
When touched, its hood and tail glow with a constellation of blue-green dots like an underwater planetarium.—
Jude Coleman,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Those travelers are missing out, though, because taking the time to get out of the car to wander trails and explore the unique flora and fauna of the deer’s habitat will leave you with a deeper appreciation of this unique dot on the map.—
Terry Ward,
AFAR Media,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The floor was covered in paint specks, in the corner was a pile of old paint tubes and smocks.—
Karl Ove Knausgaard,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Spiffy variations include spinach, mushrooms or speck.—
Ann Abel,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The Chiefs’ Harrison Butker went through a rough patch upon his return from minor (non-kicking) knee surgery, missing two field goals and an extra point in his final four games.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
24 Jan. 2025
-
It is embedded with patches and medals from the many trails the grandfather had trekked.—
Alina Hartounian,
NPR,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Others less so: Tiny flecks of indium make the screen sensitive to the touch of a finger.—
Vince Beiser,
WIRED,
30 Nov. 2024
-
And in the very center of the panel, in flat, dark country, in literal no man’s land, is a small, broken vertical line consisting of flecks of white paint.—
Teju Cole,
The New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near eyespot
Cite this Entry
“Eyespot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eyespot. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share