1
as in specks
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
in summer the white coat of the snow leopard is studded with brownish black spots
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in pickles
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
we're in a bit of a spot right now with our mortgage payments
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in stains
a mark of guilt or disgrace
scandalous conduct that will forever be a spot upon the family name
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in splashes
a very small amount
had only a spot of stew for dinner, as he wasn't very hungry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in locations
the area or space occupied by or intended for something
the cat grabbed my spot on the couch the minute I stood up
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in dots
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
to give the effect of sunlight on water, the artist spotted the lake in his painting with flecks of gold paint
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in notices
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes
I spotted both of them as they tried to sneak out the back door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sprays
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on
the TV networks had spotted reporters all over the state for the election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of spots
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
The Czechs and Swedes defended their home turf to claim two of the final spots in the World Cup field with victories in playoffs Tuesday.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Cities like Chicago — long a haven for Mexican immigrants with ties to families and a community — became landing spots for migrants from increasingly impoverished and authoritarian places such as Venezuela.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Kansas City received honors in categories like Cherry Warehouse Hotel and Margaritaville Hotel being named one of the best new hotels or Pizza Tascio being named one of the top pizza spots.
—Joseph Hernandez
march 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Here are nine spots that still have availability.
—Jane Godiner, Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar. 2026
Brett Sheerin, owner of Maui True North, which offers surf and kitesurfing lessons, encourages visitors to check water quality advisories before going into the ocean, noting many popular surf spots on Maui are registering high bacteria counts.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
In the fourth and fifth spots initially will be righties Jack Kochanowicz and Ryan Johnson.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
These are some of our favourite spots.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Across the room, Alex spots Mary, who is drawing people in effortlessly.
—Big Think, 18 Mar. 2026
The West of England Wildlife Index gives individual observations a framework to feed into — a volunteer spots something unusual, a DNA sample gets extracted and sequenced at a university, and a new species record gets confirmed.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026
Anyone who spots a Nile monitor should be aware these animals will not hesitate to defend themselves.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
If the tool spots patterns common to scams—like suspicious job offers from new contacts—it'll prompt users to submit the chat for review, then encourage them to report or block the account.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
At a transit station, Min Ho spots Kitty on a train, bags in tow.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Your quick mind spots what to improve, and your confidence helps others get on board.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff upgraded the skill spots as well as the offensive line.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
The staff remembered my name, asked about my day, offered insights about the neighborhood, and shared their favorite spots.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
The Czechs and Swedes defended their home turf to claim two of the final spots in the World Cup field with victories in playoffs Tuesday.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Cities like Chicago — long a haven for Mexican immigrants with ties to families and a community — became landing spots for migrants from increasingly impoverished and authoritarian places such as Venezuela.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Kansas City received honors in categories like Cherry Warehouse Hotel and Margaritaville Hotel being named one of the best new hotels or Pizza Tascio being named one of the top pizza spots.
—Joseph Hernandez
march 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Here are nine spots that still have availability.
—Jane Godiner, Baltimore Sun, 31 Mar. 2026
Brett Sheerin, owner of Maui True North, which offers surf and kitesurfing lessons, encourages visitors to check water quality advisories before going into the ocean, noting many popular surf spots on Maui are registering high bacteria counts.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
In the fourth and fifth spots initially will be righties Jack Kochanowicz and Ryan Johnson.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
These are some of our favourite spots.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
All-American Madison Booker thrives in the midrange, while senior Rori Harmon pesters along the perimeter and Jordan Lee spots up for buckets.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Across the room, Alex spots Mary, who is drawing people in effortlessly.
—Big Think, 18 Mar. 2026
The West of England Wildlife Index gives individual observations a framework to feed into — a volunteer spots something unusual, a DNA sample gets extracted and sequenced at a university, and a new species record gets confirmed.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026
Anyone who spots a Nile monitor should be aware these animals will not hesitate to defend themselves.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
If the tool spots patterns common to scams—like suspicious job offers from new contacts—it'll prompt users to submit the chat for review, then encourage them to report or block the account.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
At a transit station, Min Ho spots Kitty on a train, bags in tow.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Your quick mind spots what to improve, and your confidence helps others get on board.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff upgraded the skill spots as well as the offensive line.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spots
Noun
-
Keep an eye out for tiny brown or orange specks, especially around door edges, undercarriage and seams.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Learning how to apply mascara correctly can level up your whole eye look—but without the proper technique, even the best mascara can leave you with clumps, smears, or black specks across your face.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the open kitchen concept, with local produce and jars of pickles on display for guests to touch, taste, and smell, makes going off-menu just as enticing—just ask the chef for suggestions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Megan Thee Stallion ‘Was Gonna Eat This Anyway’ Megan Thee Stallion, who was publicly spotted combining Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with actual pickles before the partnership ever came together, is a genuine fan of the product (and flavor).—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Roborock Robot Vacuum and Mop Deals The Roborock Q10 S5+ is a heavy-hitting two-in-one vacuum and mop that tackles stubborn stains and deep carpet debris with a massive 10,000Pa suction and sonic mopping that scrubs 3,000 times per minute.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Get rid of tough stains on carpet and upholstery with this compact, portable cleaner.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Braves didn’t make many offseason splashes but instead should get a lot of key players back to full health after a disastrous run of injuries throughout 2025.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The design here avoids ski-lodge clichés but maintains splendid common areas, including a cozy library and a grand lobby decorated with stone and wood finishes and splashes of rich red and orange hues.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More service center locations may be added as the transition progresses, the USDA said.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
No mean feat, considering the brand’s first 24 hotels are set in remote, leafy locations that feel worlds away from real life.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Barnett dots up Knight for a 57-yard catch-and-run.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Rather than the stiff alien chitchat that dots his own screenplays, the characters in The Favourite trade the witty, venomous bon mots of The Great creator Tony McNamara.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Paula notices that every time her husband leaves the house, the lights in the home dim minutes later.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Shortly after arriving at the Hotel Providence, the narrator notices that the building is situated across the street from a church that once hosted an experimental theater space.—
Hannah Gold,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When it is finished, maybe a year from now, Bayfront Park will be the city’s front yard, a gathering place to celebrate culture and be dazzled by technology -- laser beams that shoot into the evening sky and a fountain that sprays 60 feet high.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Vicks Sinex Severe, for example, sprays an ultrafine mist that is less likely to irritate your nostrils with its residue.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spots. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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