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
-
Dark brown blotches with black edges dot its back, sometimes joining together to form bands.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Doctors could see white blotches and smears around those dark spaces, indicating lesions.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Each set comes with 12 canvases and more than 750 colorful dot stickers that will inspire kids to play independently and use their imagination.—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
17 Mar. 2025
-
On that card, hit those three dots on the top right and select Remove from list.—
Kim Komando,
Fox News,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
There’s not a speck of iceberg lettuce or a sticky Heinz bottle in sight.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
29 Mar. 2025
-
This is where the creek empties, where the speck spook in the eelgrass.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Improve Skin Texture Collagen face masks work to hydrate and plump the skin, filling in rough patches and uneven areas while promoting a more even complexion.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Every item also features an official 2024 World Series patch.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Normally, landing a star of Dončić’s caliber at such a young age would take every fleck of gold in the safe.—
C. Clark, M. Vorkunov and F. Katz,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Tips and Tricks: During this event, the moon will begin to travel in front of the Pleiades stars around 11 P.M. Eastern Time, concealing several of the blueish flecks as the night goes on.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside Online,
13 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Eyespot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eyespot. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share