as in to dot
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
the sunlight falling through the lace curtain stippled her face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 stipple
Two pumps on the back of my hand did the trick, stippling it across my red-speckled cheeks and around my nose.
—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
21 Dec. 2025
Inside the passage, the lips of water beyond my torchlight are coal black, stippled with freckles of sediment.
—
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
The yellowing, eventually turning to brown, starts with stippling or tiny dots on the foliage where mites have pierced the leaves’ epidermis with their stylets or sucking mouthparts.
—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
20 Sep. 2025
Spider mites cause yellowing or stippling on the leaves.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stipple
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
21 Dec. 2025
Inside the passage, the lips of water beyond my torchlight are coal black, stippled with freckles of sediment.
—
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
The yellowing, eventually turning to brown, starts with stippling or tiny dots on the foliage where mites have pierced the leaves’ epidermis with their stylets or sucking mouthparts.
—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
20 Sep. 2025
Spider mites cause yellowing or stippling on the leaves.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stipple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stipple
Verb
-
The coast is dotted with colorful fishing villages, while the region’s interior is made up of rolling green hills and gently sloped vineyards.
-
Lucky for her, Mackenzie lives here, less than an hour outside of Miami in a state that's dotted with bodies of water.
Verb
-
Generously sprinkle both sides of the steak well with the dry rub mix.
-
Thomson sprinkles critique throughout his book like seasoning unevenly applied to a gamey piece of meat.
Verb
-
Semi-sheer, marbled accent nails look like they’ve been stained with blackberry juice.
-
Dressing up for warmer weather can be a challenge since plush fabrics like silk can easily stain and aren’t as breathable.
Verb
-
Veining helps marbled white quartz countertops adopt the look of real Calacatta marble.
-
To create marbling, run a table knife (or wooden skewer) through the batters in a swirling motion.
Verb
-
Story’s groomer didn’t dye his whole body—just the puffy fur around his ankles, ears, and the tip of his tail, which fades from violet to a soft lavender like something out of a watercolor painting.
-
Thanks to Arianne Phillips, our costume designer, who dyed my blouse to match the walls perfectly.
Cite this Entry
“Stipple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stipple. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
