1
as in fleck
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
a lizard with specks of white against a green body
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in glimmer
a very small amount
not a speck of explanation to accompany the book's pictures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in particle
a very small piece
a speck of dust was preventing the laser from reading the disc
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to sprinkle
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
dirt that had specked the windows of the factory for ages
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 speck
Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
One of them shows the moon from a distance—a tiny white speck in a sea of black—and the other captures the lander’s hardware with a view of the moon in the background.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025
Brian Lowry, CNN, 19 Apr. 2018
To get into the spirit, order a ginger beer and rock shrimp fritters, fried balls of doughy goodness specked with bell pepper and spices that come steaming hot with a side of spicy mayo.
—Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, 12 Feb. 2018
See All Example Sentences for speck
Noun
What sets Friedrich apart from everyone else is that solitary human being and his dual nature: both a tiny speck in the universe and the center of it all.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
One of them shows the moon from a distance—a tiny white speck in a sea of black—and the other captures the lander’s hardware with a view of the moon in the background.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
For all its strengths, though, the series proves a bit of a slog, at times, as the wheels turn along the dusty, blood-specked road to wherever this maze leads.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 19 Apr. 2018
To get into the spirit, order a ginger beer and rock shrimp fritters, fried balls of doughy goodness specked with bell pepper and spices that come steaming hot with a side of spicy mayo.
—Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, 12 Feb. 2018
See All Example Sentences for speck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speck
Noun
-
Tips and Tricks: During this event, the moon will begin to travel in front of the Pleiades stars around 11 P.M. Eastern Time, concealing several of the blueish flecks as the night goes on.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside Online,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Once the snowmelt begins and flecks of greenery emerge from the powder, many skiers assume the party’s over.—
Miles Howard,
AFAR Media,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
His win is a glimmer of hope for those who don’t live in mansions but just want to make movies.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2025
-
No Other Land, about the destruction of a West Bank community, offers a glimmer of hope in the bond between an Israeli and a Palestinian.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But in space, especially beyond Earth’s orbit, astronauts are more exposed to these particles, which can damage DNA, increase cancer risk, and accelerate cellular aging.—
Jake Parks,
Discover Magazine,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Laser direct infrared imaging—an advanced form of microscopy using laser light—was used to detect and count the microplastic particles in each bird's lungs.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
If desired, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt on top for an extra flavor kick.—
Matt Rozo,
The Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Inside, you’re greeted by a massive vintage armoire; several more candelabras are sprinkled throughout.—
Michael Cuby,
Them,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Brighter yellow and golden blotches run along its forehead, sides and lower back.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The resulting arrangement made the cheese clumps stand out as dark blotches in the photographs taken with an iPhone mounted on a tripod.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
After being made aware of her video, Monadnock Food Co-op had to issue a recall and refunds for their organic red quinoa, organic white quinoa, organic tri-color quinoa, organic cornmeal, organic polenta, organic coconut shreds, and their raw walnuts.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The affected products include quinoa, cornmeal, polenta, coconut shreds and walnuts.—
Terry Dickerson,
NBC News,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Co-presenting the Animated Feature and Animated Short categories, the unlikely duo navigated their bits and at various moments, sweetly linked arms or hands.—
Elizabeth Leonard,
People.com,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Moore is quirky and a little bit edgy as the cool one of the group, whose all-black wardrobe could either be a fashion statement… or a sign of clinical depression.—
Katie Rife,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Blackened vegetation dotted the hillsides rising above Pacific Coast Highway.—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Graffiti, street stickers, and paintings dot the streets, suggesting that millions of Berliners bike through an invisible Fourth Reich that is rising all around them.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Speck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speck. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share