1
as in patch
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 predicament
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 stain
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 splash
a very small amount
had only a spot of stew for dinner, as he wasn't very hungry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to sprinkle
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 to notice
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
as in chance
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of spot
Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
The couple’s arrest shocked Orlando’s LGBTQ community as Kowalczyk was a co-owner of Southern Nights Orlando and District Dive, two popular spots in the Milk District near downtown Orlando, and a Southern Nights location in Tampa.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
With Valentine's Day approaching, financial experts warn to be on alert for a rise in romance scams that are becoming harder to spot due to artificial intelligence.
—Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Katie Langford, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025
Along the way, spot Himalayan ibex, Tibetan wolves, and endangered Himalayan brown bears.
—Rumit Mehta, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spot
Noun
Consumers have shifted their tastes and preferences for buying luxury brands amid the rise of digital shopping and fashion houses opening their own retail spots.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
The couple’s arrest shocked Orlando’s LGBTQ community as Kowalczyk was a co-owner of Southern Nights Orlando and District Dive, two popular spots in the Milk District near downtown Orlando, and a Southern Nights location in Tampa.
—Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Graham is often spotted wearing strappy sandals and heels from brands like Gianvito Rossi, Giuseppe Zanotti, and more.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
With Valentine's Day approaching, financial experts warn to be on alert for a rise in romance scams that are becoming harder to spot due to artificial intelligence.
—Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The fire is mainly burning in spruce and fir trees, which is causing spot fires that contribute to the spread.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025
Along the way, spot Himalayan ibex, Tibetan wolves, and endangered Himalayan brown bears.
—Rumit Mehta, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spot
Noun
-
The mobsters turned the van around, pulled off the highway and dumped Gasso in a patch of poison ivy along the Connecticut River in Wethersfield.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The concierge can also help with setting up activities like dog sledding, fishing, whale-watching, and fishing (or even just recommend hiking trails to blueberry patches on the property).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The signal predicament of our era is the global rise of illiberalism and intolerance.—
Christopher Beha,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Here, the joyous and the boisterous contrast the dark and insidious, allowing viewers to both be delighted by colorful street scenes and celebrations while the rot of fear creeps in, as the details surrounding our main character (Wagner Moura) and his predicament are revealed.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Peel-and-stick tiles are also more susceptible to surface damage (such as scratches and stains), so consider this when choosing where to install them.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Emily Brontë’s novel is a book that stains — its emotions seep through generations, its hatreds metastasize, its love transforms into something unholy and permanent.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The current reality of AI and white-collar work However, as AI experts hypothesize about when, and if, AI will disrupt white-collar work, the technology thus far has made only a small splash in professional services.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
When reheating, add a splash of milk or water and stir well to restore its creamy texture.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Law enforcement went to the location, in the municipality of Talamanca about 105 miles east of the capital San Jose, and confirmed the death, according to OIJ spokesman Carlos Valverde.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Robert and James Paschal passed away in 1997 and 2008, respectively, but their descendants continue to operate the restaurant, which reopened in a more modern Castleberry Hill neighborhood location in 2022.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Try nutritional yeast mixed into homemade sauces and batters, or sprinkled onto savory dishes, for a nutty, cheesy flavor without dairy.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The center fielder spent the offseason at home training, with some travel sprinkled in.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The new law will give the California attorney general earlier access to federal HSR merger filings, so the office will have more time to review and challenge anticompetitive mergers and give businesses earlier notice to address any potential concerns, according to Umberg’s office.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The reversal drew little public attention, and few outside the UK noticed any change.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mix equal parts white vinegar and hot water in a bucket or spray bottle, then apply the solution to an icy surface.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The scale of the war effort had necessitated the creation of a health infrastructure on American soil—spraying for mosquitoes near the front lines in the Pacific wouldn’t mean anything if soldiers caught malaria at home before deployment.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spot. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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