as in discovery
the act or process of sighting or learning the existence of something for the first time
the spotting of a new bird is always a thrill for an avid bird-watcher
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in sprinkling
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 noticing
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 spraying
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
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Recent Examples of spotting
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026
The Row founders coordinated with their purses, sunglasses, phones and dark outfits in a 2026 spotting.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
While drones have long played an integral role in Russian operations, they have traditionally been used for artillery spotting and precision-strike missions.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
There's also horseback riding, turtle spotting, and birdwatching for anyone in the group who'd rather skip the history lesson.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
The restaurant was considered an upscale place for special occasions such as first dates, engagements and wedding receptions and was popular for celebrity spotting.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Expect brisk mornings and evenings with pleasantly warm, often sunny afternoons that set the stage for activities like rafting, hiking, or wildlife spotting.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
When the camp comes into view–which can be in as short as 45 minutes or as long as a few hours, depending on your eagerness for wildlife spotting versus the desire of simply getting to your tent and relaxing—another wow factor sets in.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Visitors explore natural landmarks like Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch and take part in outdoor activities including hiking, wildlife spotting, seal swimming and diving.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 17 June 2026
The waters here are considered some of the best for sailing and tarpon fishing, and there's a good chance of spotting dolphins and sea turtles.
—Ana Pelayo Connery, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2026
The relevant machinery is REMIT — the EU’s Regulation on Wholesale Energy Market Integrity and Transparency, the rulebook for spotting and punishing manipulation in energy markets.
—Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
What Fritz didn’t know is that a maintenance worker had grown suspicious after spotting the teenager’s science lab in the garage and alerted authorities.
—Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
In the warmer months, visitors can fully lean into the outdoors by renting a cabin, setting up camp, or spending the day wildlife spotting along the riverbanks.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
But the Atlanta product was a versatile combo guard in college who could play on or off the ball, facilitating out of pick-and-rolls, spotting up or creating his own shot against 1-on-1 defense.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
Fans are probably lining up for scones in hopes of spotting Ashley crying behind the counter.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 8 June 2026
The jay system is rooted in Buddhist dietary practice and is widely recognized by Thai vendors, so spotting the symbol on a cart or menu is a reliable signal.
—Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
Noun
Millions of drones are now being produced annually by both Ukraine and Russia, transforming reconnaissance, logistics, artillery spotting, and strike missions.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026
The Row founders coordinated with their purses, sunglasses, phones and dark outfits in a 2026 spotting.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
While drones have long played an integral role in Russian operations, they have traditionally been used for artillery spotting and precision-strike missions.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
There's also horseback riding, turtle spotting, and birdwatching for anyone in the group who'd rather skip the history lesson.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
The restaurant was considered an upscale place for special occasions such as first dates, engagements and wedding receptions and was popular for celebrity spotting.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Expect brisk mornings and evenings with pleasantly warm, often sunny afternoons that set the stage for activities like rafting, hiking, or wildlife spotting.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
When the camp comes into view–which can be in as short as 45 minutes or as long as a few hours, depending on your eagerness for wildlife spotting versus the desire of simply getting to your tent and relaxing—another wow factor sets in.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Visitors explore natural landmarks like Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch and take part in outdoor activities including hiking, wildlife spotting, seal swimming and diving.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
Verb
The sector is increasingly turning to the defense industry, spotting an opportunity to collaborate and capitalize upon the continent's rise in military spending.
—Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 17 June 2026
The waters here are considered some of the best for sailing and tarpon fishing, and there's a good chance of spotting dolphins and sea turtles.
—Ana Pelayo Connery, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2026
The relevant machinery is REMIT — the EU’s Regulation on Wholesale Energy Market Integrity and Transparency, the rulebook for spotting and punishing manipulation in energy markets.
—Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
What Fritz didn’t know is that a maintenance worker had grown suspicious after spotting the teenager’s science lab in the garage and alerted authorities.
—Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
In the warmer months, visitors can fully lean into the outdoors by renting a cabin, setting up camp, or spending the day wildlife spotting along the riverbanks.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
But the Atlanta product was a versatile combo guard in college who could play on or off the ball, facilitating out of pick-and-rolls, spotting up or creating his own shot against 1-on-1 defense.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
Fans are probably lining up for scones in hopes of spotting Ashley crying behind the counter.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 8 June 2026
The jay system is rooted in Buddhist dietary practice and is widely recognized by Thai vendors, so spotting the symbol on a cart or menu is a reliable signal.
—Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotting
Noun
-
The discovery is so surprising because even though AGNs are rich with gas and dust — the building blocks of planets — the turbulent conditions within the disks wouldn't generally be considered ideal for forming planets.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
14 June 2026
-
Salinger also set a July 1 deadline for the remaining defendants to propose a case schedule setting forth deadlines for discovery and future motions.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Clean the oven racks separately by spraying them with white vinegar and sprinkling them with baking soda.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
13 June 2026
-
During Tuesday’s practice, which was the first of three on-field sessions this week, the Dolphins opened up the play-action game during the first 11-on-11 period by sprinkling in some running plays.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Now, more people are noticing and appreciating it.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
13 June 2026
-
Cycle syncing is most useful as a framework for noticing your own patterns rather than a strict rulebook.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Maintain its wariness of people by throwing a small object at it, making a loud noise or spraying it with a hose.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 June 2026
-
Cabrera walked the first two batters of the fifth inning, spraying uncompetitive pitches all around the zone, then got Colorado’s Edouard Julien to strike out looking.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The findings were published Thursday in The Astronomical Journal.—
Kierra Frazier,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
The findings have been published in the scientific journal BioRxiv but have not yet been peer reviewed.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Start with a clear glitter base, then use a dotting tool to create white daisies with pink and orange centers.—
Rebecca Norris,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
-
Among the historic attractions dotting Route 66, there may be none more hapless and ill fated as the Aztec Hotel in Monrovia.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Another patient, David Nurieli, described seeing elderly individuals forced to walk or be carried up three flights of stairs when the elevator fails.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
Those concerns were amplified by Marsch only seeing his players every few months before the World Cup.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Somewhere between the credit algorithm that approved your last loan and the fraud-detection model that flagged your vacation spending, financial services quietly became an AI industry.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Those tests include amyloid and tau PET scans to help detect amyloid plaque and tau tangles in the brain, while allowing for earlier detection and monitoring disease progression, according to the American Brain Foundation.—
Wendy Coschignano-Ford,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spotting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotting. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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