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
That’s the case where the 49ers are concerned and their spotty record under coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch in identifying premium talent in the first two rounds.
—
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
However, Hometap has a spotty customer service record, and its product can be very risky for some homeowners.
—Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 1 May 2026
Rodríguez — who at 22 years and 254 days old became the youngest player to pitch for the Yankees since Deivi Garcia did so in 2021 — initially worked around his spotty control, escaping the first inning despite a pair of walks.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
But by the summer of 1969, Mellencamp’s participation in the group was spotty or had ended.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spotty
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
However, Hometap has a spotty customer service record, and its product can be very risky for some homeowners.
—Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 1 May 2026
Rodríguez — who at 22 years and 254 days old became the youngest player to pitch for the Yankees since Deivi Garcia did so in 2021 — initially worked around his spotty control, escaping the first inning despite a pair of walks.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
But by the summer of 1969, Mellencamp’s participation in the group was spotty or had ended.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spotty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotty
Adjective
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There were sporadic injuries reported as well as some arrests and property damage.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
-
Flowers nearly cover the plant in spring, followed by sporadic blooms throughout the season.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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Signaling support isn’t the same thing as signing on the dotted line, but going on the record in this manner is a big deal, especially in a blue state.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
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Similar to the actress’s blouse, this Amazon find has billowy long sleeves, a playful dotted print, and a tie neckline that adds extra fashion flair when poking out from under spring jackets and blazers.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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According to Costigan and McIntyre, one 4-hour USB-charge should be good for seven to eight hours of runtime in high-intensity intermittent mode, or approximately 14 hours in the lowest-intensity steady output mode.—
Ben Coxworth
May 15,
New Atlas,
15 May 2026
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But 2026 has marked a new nadir for one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with the government’s massacre of anti-regime protestors in January and widespread destruction from the United States’ and Israel’s intermittent war.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Investigators recovered video footage from a neighboring rhome that captured a dark-colored sedan matching the vehicle that was involved in previous incidents.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
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Investigators recovered video footage from a neighboring residence that captured a dark-colored sedan matching the vehicle that was involved in previous incidents.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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The concentrated schedule created a sense of occasion and urgency that is diluted when games are spread across Thursdays, occasional Wednesdays, Friday holidays, Saturday nights, Sunday mornings and multiple streaming-exclusive windows.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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This is a play that takes young people and their problems seriously, while incorporating occasional humor into the script and direction.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Price Outlook Cotton prices continued to move higher over the past month, but the pattern has become more erratic.—
SJ Guest Editorial,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
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Technology cycles are shorter, markets are more erratic and competition is becoming more worldwide.—
Raheel Sheikh,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotty. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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