mottled 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of mottlednext
1
as in colored
having blotches of two or more colors a mottled complexion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dotted
marked with spots mottled leather upholstery that isn't supposed to look perfect

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mottled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of mottle
as in sprinkled
to mark with small spots especially unevenly old papers that were mottled by mold

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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 mottled
Adjective
The first, inspired by vintage luxury, is a mottled gold frame with bead wood. — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 25 Aug. 2026 The shallowest sections near the coast appear bright aquamarine, the deepest shift toward cobalt or lapis, and a mottled turquoise fills the space between. — Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
Its flowers are huge and orange, marked or mottled with maroon splotches. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 The foliage is typically mottled with silvery or light green variegation. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for mottled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mottled
  1. colored
  2. dotted
  3. sprinkled
  4. marbled
  5. speckled
  6. stained
  7. blotched
  8. flecked
Adjective
  • Hazel is actually an unusual, multi-colored eye type that features a mix of brown, green, and gold or amber hues.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026
  • In a city better known for restrained modernism, La Tulipe is a playful bouquet of concrete and colored glass.
    — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of colored
Adjective
  • Peghah Maleknejad, fashion director of Hero and Heroine Magazine, bought the dotted mesh long dress for $359 on her phone while waiting for the Alainpaul show to start.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • To reduce confusion, the top plate has a dotted pattern around each key position that can accept a magnetic switch.
    — Francisco Lahoz, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2026
Definition of dotted
Verb
  • The Fort Worth list indicates restaurants mostly downtown, the Shops at Clearfork and a few sprinkled in the Stockyards.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The songs, contemporary pop sprinkled with disco pixie dust, are of a piece with the tone of Benanti’s self-skewering comedy.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of sprinkled
Adjective
  • The special inclusion this time were orca beans, a stunning black and white marbled heirloom bean that isn’t available for purchase outside of the PANTRi membership.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Jam Crumb Cake Spreadable fruit jam ribbons through this buttery crumb cake, sinking here and there for a marbled look.
    — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of marbled
Adjective
  • Another look came in the form of Oxford pumps with a speckled calf-hair finish and red linear detailing.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • At least some of the time, Hawthorne really was warming the little speckled eggs from which his masterworks would hatch.
    — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of speckled
Verb
  • Bookshelves are crammed with novels and almanacs, the wood boards of the ceilings stained dark in delicious contrast to the clean white walls and creamy linen furnishings.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The yellow color from the fenbendazole stained his white goatee.
    — Trisha Thadani Kirsten Potter Tanya Pérez Devin Murphy, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of stained
Adjective
  • The whole rug needs to get wet or colors in the fiber could migrate and result in a blotched look.
    — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
Definition of blotched
Verb
  • The pillowy dough is flecked with cinnamon and crowded with tender chunks of apple.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Mikey Madison’s pink- and purple-flecked tinsel became one of the defining beauty details of Ani in 2024’s Anora, while Zara Larsson has made shimmering, maximalist hair a fixture of her Midnight Sun era.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of flecked

Browse Nearby Words

mottle
mottled
mottles
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Cite this Entry

“Mottled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mottled. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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