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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spots
Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The two minute-plus first look (below) at the first cast gathering since co-stars Amanda Batula and West Wilson went public with their relationship teases some lighter moments when the group claims their spots on the reunion couch around host Andy Cohen.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
The effect is sharpest for computer and information workers, sales representatives, and office supervisors—roles that used to serve as the default landing spots for college graduates entering the workforce.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 May 2026
Weekend-worthy spots include the Campus in Claverack, Assembly in Monticello, the School in Kinderhook, and the Sky High Farm Biennial.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
Langley is also the first country star to ever hold the top-two spots for multiple weeks, according to the outlet.
—David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
The Frenchman is a front-footed middle man who gets stuck into tackles, is relatively press-resistant and will often resort to dribbling to get out of tight spots.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Food and drink The main three restaurants look set to be destination eating spots.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
Charlotte swept a recent ranking of North Carolina neighborhoods and suburbs for young professionals, filling all the top twenty spots.
—Eva Flowe
may 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
The uncanny vision is made even eerier when Hoop spots her late mother dragging her five children through the human tide.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 19 May 2026
Waterfront spots While there’s nothing about the food at the Natomas location of Chevy’s Fresh Mex at 1369 Garden Highway that sets it apart from the others in the chain, the riverfront location certainly does.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
There’s a particularly tragic scene where Natalia, lured on holiday by Elsa, spots a small child innocently giggling at the table across from her at dinner.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
On her commute home, a careworn Marie-Lou spots a young man joyfully running through a nearby park.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2026
While riding the property, Rip spots vultures circling overhead and goes to investigate, only to discover Wes' remains.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
His company runs a network of after school learning centers where an adaptive AI tutoring system spots those cracks and customizes lessons in real time based on how each student responds.
—Time Contributors, Time, 29 Apr. 2026
This exercise is intended to not only show where the Rangers have players in place for 2026-27, and which spots those players are likely to occupy, but also to highlight the most glaring holes.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
There are 400 parking spots at the Framingham terminal, which will cost $7 a day.
—Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The two minute-plus first look (below) at the first cast gathering since co-stars Amanda Batula and West Wilson went public with their relationship teases some lighter moments when the group claims their spots on the reunion couch around host Andy Cohen.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
The effect is sharpest for computer and information workers, sales representatives, and office supervisors—roles that used to serve as the default landing spots for college graduates entering the workforce.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 May 2026
Weekend-worthy spots include the Campus in Claverack, Assembly in Monticello, the School in Kinderhook, and the Sky High Farm Biennial.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
Langley is also the first country star to ever hold the top-two spots for multiple weeks, according to the outlet.
—David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
The Frenchman is a front-footed middle man who gets stuck into tackles, is relatively press-resistant and will often resort to dribbling to get out of tight spots.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Food and drink The main three restaurants look set to be destination eating spots.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
Charlotte swept a recent ranking of North Carolina neighborhoods and suburbs for young professionals, filling all the top twenty spots.
—Eva Flowe
may 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026
Verb
The brands that win are the ones where the audience spots the tension first.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
The uncanny vision is made even eerier when Hoop spots her late mother dragging her five children through the human tide.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 19 May 2026
Waterfront spots While there’s nothing about the food at the Natomas location of Chevy’s Fresh Mex at 1369 Garden Highway that sets it apart from the others in the chain, the riverfront location certainly does.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
There’s a particularly tragic scene where Natalia, lured on holiday by Elsa, spots a small child innocently giggling at the table across from her at dinner.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
On her commute home, a careworn Marie-Lou spots a young man joyfully running through a nearby park.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2026
While riding the property, Rip spots vultures circling overhead and goes to investigate, only to discover Wes' remains.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
His company runs a network of after school learning centers where an adaptive AI tutoring system spots those cracks and customizes lessons in real time based on how each student responds.
—Time Contributors, Time, 29 Apr. 2026
This exercise is intended to not only show where the Rangers have players in place for 2026-27, and which spots those players are likely to occupy, but also to highlight the most glaring holes.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spots
Noun
-
From the summit of Monte Gambarogno, the towns hugging the shore of Lake Maggiore appear as tiny specks, dwarfed by the snowcapped southern Alps to the north.—
Lisa Kadane,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2026
-
Silvery or mottled patches on leaves, brown or distorted petal edges, dark specks (feces) or flower buds that fail to open are signs of thrips.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Butcher's Grind Cheeseburger is topped with cheddar cheese and pickles, and the Italian Sausage comes loaded with onions and vinegar peppers on a hoagie roll.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
Beer drinkers have been putting pickles and pouring pickle juice into brews for a long time.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
For tough stains, sprinkle them with baking soda and spray with vinegar.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
-
Two hours later, cops went to the family’s house and noticed a broken window and numerous red stains throughout the house.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Add a few more splashes of the reserved hot water.—
Karla Walsh,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
Perennials are a great way to spruce up your garden and add splashes of greenery to your landscape.—
Adrienne Jordan,
Martha Stewart,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
In a statement, Cobb County Elections & Registration said backup procedures are in place as staff work to assist voters and support polling locations.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
-
Today, the dessert shop has locations in more than a dozen states nationwide.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Prepare to be dazzled from Warsaw’s highest viewing terrace atop Varso Tower, which proudly dots the skyline, before eating your way through the innovative food halls that define the coolest neighborhoods.—
Kasia Dietz,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
-
Japanese linens top the bed, and designer furniture dots the living space.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Just to make things even messier and more over-plotted, Sylvie notices a light on for five days straight in an upper-floor apartment, reporting to the cops her concern that the old man who lives there might have died.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
If the bear is sitting at a distance, feeding or walking by and notices you but continues its natural behavior, do not take any action.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The violent collision sprays a jet of electrons, positrons, and other particles down into a cloud at a random angle.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 May 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Spots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spots. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
