as in fleck
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
the clouds threw dapples of shadow over the eerily quiet street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to sprinkle
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
sunlight dappled the canopy of vines over our heads
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 dapple
Dallas News, 9 May 2022
Piglet is a Chihuahua-dachshund mix, with a genetic condition called double dapple that causes eyesight and hearing difficulties.
—Susan Dunne, courant.com, 29 Jan. 2022
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Calling on a Rolodex of guest stars (Caroline Polachek, Lorde, Daniel Caesar), Hynes dapples his scenes in golden lo-fi.
—Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dapple
Noun
While out on walks in Dallas’ Uptown, people often stop Alison Roche to ask about her brown, dapple, floppy-eared dachshund.
—Dallas News, 9 May 2022
Piglet is a Chihuahua-dachshund mix, with a genetic condition called double dapple that causes eyesight and hearing difficulties.
—Susan Dunne, courant.com, 29 Jan. 2022
Verb
All have green leaves dappled with white, yellow, or pale green.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Calling on a Rolodex of guest stars (Caroline Polachek, Lorde, Daniel Caesar), Hynes dapples his scenes in golden lo-fi.
—Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dapple
Noun
-
Editors could immediately tell that this wasn't your typical tortilla chip, noting the pale color and dark flecks of chia seed.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
-
But right now, nearly every fleck of AI folly that’s risen to the top has been utter dreck.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
To serve, sprinkle parsley and/or celery leaves over top.—
Holly Riordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The show was sprinkled with dance cameos including Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Jessica Alba and Karol G.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The dots were pretty easy to connect.—
Sam McDowell
Updated February 13,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
-
In 1981, when young men started dying of strange infections, there was no surveillance system to connect the dots.—
Robert B. Shpiner,
STAT,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Classic raised garden beds made of wood and stained to protect them from the elements are a good way to pack a lot of plants into a small space.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Liu says her favorite flavor is the dark chocolate mochi, coated in enough cocoa powder to stain your fingers and likely your shirt.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Here indeed was a dense speck of wilderness under preserve.—
John Bowe,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Feb. 2026
-
According to the National Weather Service, when a water droplet in a freezing atmosphere comes into contact with a nucleus, like a speck of dust or pollen, an ice crystal is formed.—
Ray Petelin,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The marbling effect of this manicure aggregates the polish at the tip of each nail, but diffuses the border of the nail tips and pulls the color down towards the base in a watercolor style.—
Sunnah Rasheed,
InStyle,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Prime rib is a desirable cut of beef, known for its rich flavor and marbling from fat.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
With the proper equipment, the sun spots will appear as a small black blotch close to the center of the solar disk, positioned a little above the sun’s equator.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
-
With the proper equipment, AR4366 will appear as a small black blotch close to the center of the solar disk, positioned a little above the sun's equator.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Whisk together butter, Creole seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2026
-
As Balint peppered Bondi about senior administration officials’ ties to Epstein, the back-and-forth between them got increasingly heated as Bondi declined to answer her questions.—
Ana Ceballos,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dapple. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
