1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
only spotty business failures marred the economic boom
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dotted
marked with spots
Dalmatians are spotty dogs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spotty
Parts of the county also have spotty cell service or none at all.
—
Morgan Chesky, NBC news, 15 July 2025
Her experience reflects an agency with spotty internal communication.
—Juwayriah Wright, Time, 15 July 2025
While spotty showers and thunderstorms are possible through the afternoon and evening hours in central Texas, the activity will be more widespread tomorrow across the region, with a greater potential for locally heavy rainfall.
—Dan Peck, ABC News, 12 July 2025
But cellphone service in the area can be spotty, and not all residents appear to have received the alerts in the critical early-morning hours when the floodwaters rose.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spotty
Morgan Chesky, NBC news, 15 July 2025
Her experience reflects an agency with spotty internal communication.
—Juwayriah Wright, Time, 15 July 2025
While spotty showers and thunderstorms are possible through the afternoon and evening hours in central Texas, the activity will be more widespread tomorrow across the region, with a greater potential for locally heavy rainfall.
—Dan Peck, ABC News, 12 July 2025
But cellphone service in the area can be spotty, and not all residents appear to have received the alerts in the critical early-morning hours when the floodwaters rose.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spotty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotty
Adjective
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However, reaching these outcomes takes more than just sporadic posts.—
Jonathan Schwartz,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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The monsoon season is now here and has brought deadly flash flooding along old burn scars in Ruidoso, New Mexico, while distributing sporadic rain in the state’s Gila National Forest.—
Abe Streep,
ProPublica,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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The five-time All-Star reportedly committed to a gluten-free, low-sugar diet that was founded upon intermittent fasting and consuming at least 250 grams of protein daily.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
28 July 2025
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Grid-scale batteries to store renewable energy—an important means of making the intermittent energy supply from sun and wind match times of energy demand—were scarce in 2015.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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There are occasional boring stretches, along with confounding ones.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
3 Aug. 2025
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Limited closet space may mean that following the one in, one out rule isn't just an occasional practice but is necessary in order to prevent your wardrobe from bursting at the seams!—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The fire was 26% contained — its maximum level so far — this past weekend, but worsening weather conditions this week have triggered erratic fire behavior and lowered its containment level considerably.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
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Efforts are being made by lawmakers to boost housing and provide more affordability in the erratic market.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotty. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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