dots 1 of 2

Definition of dotsnext
plural of dot
as in flecks
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part there was just a dot on the tablecloth where the food had spattered

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dots

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of dot
1
as in sprays
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on a hillside dotted with wildflowers

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2
as in sprinkles
to mark with small spots especially unevenly the practice of some chefs of positioning a small portion of food in the center and dotting the rest of the plate with sauce

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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 dots
Noun
The dots were pretty easy to connect. Sam McDowell February 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026 Speaking of connecting dots, Carr is another player with links to the Jets coaching staff. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026 Rather than walking through roles chronologically, strong career storytellers connect the dots. Ashley Herd, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026 On top, paint small hearts and dots for a cute and dainty result. Paola Zamarripa, Glamour, 10 Feb. 2026 Prosecutors have been presenting circumstantial evidence during the trial to connect the dots to Stanko. Erika Stanish, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026 Both full-backs (white dots) are in the box. Mark Carey, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026 The ambulance is connecting the dots for us. Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026 Pink hearts and white dots on a nude base are the stars of this nail look. Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 31 Jan. 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 The $3,211 per month maintenance fees cover a part-time doorman and a fitness studio, while the location provides easy access to Madison Square Park plus all the shopping and dining that dots the area. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dots
Noun
  • As Dracula, Jones is giddy and joyous with flecks of depravity bursting through as the plot expands to include his ethereal bond with Harker’s fiancée, Mina Murray (also Bleu).
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Trapped in a prickly relationship with a cactus, his life changes overnight when Swift sprays herself with Opalite and is magically transported into his living room.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Tired of the constant cuts, Gleeson orders Opalite and sprays his cactus, causing Swift to magically appear in his house.
    Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Much like Knives Out, the movie takes a much more lighthearted approach and sprinkles humor throughout.
    Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
  • The shareable treat features Galactic Brownie ice cream, fudge drizzle, M&Ms candies, and Halloween sprinkles atop a double fudge brownie crust.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Tiny beads of blood had seeped out and dried into tiny specks.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Also known as sunspots, solar lentigines, or liver spots, age spots are additional specks and bits of pigment caused by excessive sun exposure.
    Essence, Essence, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Instead, each child interacts only with a sophisticated artificial intelligence, which peppers them with questions about everything from mathematics to philosophy.
    Niral Shah, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
  • Instead, the original body features a patina that peppers its exterior and is a point of celebration, preserved and maintained for true uniqueness.
    Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 3 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • For the first time, Anthropic spent millions of dollars on several satiric Super Bowl spots.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
  • If a camera spots a dog that resembles the missing pet, the pet owner is alerted to a potential match.
    Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • These blotches are fairly plant friendly and produce what is known as algal leaf spot.
    Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026
  • Photos show the Maratus australis spider, which has an intricate pattern of blue and brown blotches edged with bright teal and red-orange stripes.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • This mixture attacks stains a bit stronger than the water solution.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Season with salt and lots of pepper and bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking often, until the turmeric stains the mixture a wonderful golden color and the liquid starts to steam, about 3 minutes.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dots. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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