spot 1 of 3

noun

ˈspät How to pronounce spot (audio)
Definition of spotnext
1
as in patch
a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part in summer the white coat of the snow leopard is studded with brownish black spots

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2
as in predicament
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape we're in a bit of a spot right now with our mortgage payments

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3
as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace scandalous conduct that will forever be a spot upon the family name

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in splash
a very small amount had only a spot of stew for dinner, as he wasn't very hungry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in location
the area or space occupied by or intended for something the cat grabbed my spot on the couch the minute I stood up

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spot

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to sprinkle
to mark with small spots especially unevenly to give the effect of sunlight on water, the artist spotted the lake in his painting with flecks of gold paint

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2
as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes I spotted both of them as they tried to sneak out the back door

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to spray
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on the TV networks had spotted reporters all over the state for the election

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spot

3 of 3

adjective

as in chance

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 spot
Noun
When: Thursday-Sunday, with times varying Local comedians serve as your guide on Funny Bus Charlotte Tours, which highlight local spots while prompting you to laugh. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025 The New York Mets seemed like the perfect landing spot for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in free agency next offseason, but the Toronto Blue Jays didn't want that to happen. — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
However, in a surprising move, the World No. 2 was spotted visiting the Masters course before heading to the Texas Children's Houston Open. — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025 The two were most recently spotted together at Los Angeles’ Birds Street Cafe on Sunday (Mar. 23). — Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Unlike regular bitcoin ETFs, in which bitcoin futures contracts are the underlying asset, bitcoins are the underlying asset of a spot bitcoin ETF. — CBS News, 21 Nov. 2024 This recent upward momentum has been fueled by a surge in investor interest in spot Bitcoin ETFs, following notable outflows on November 25 and 26. — Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 2 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for spot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spot
  1. patch
  2. predicament
  3. stain
  4. splash
  5. location
  6. sprinkle
  7. notice
  8. spray
Noun
  • Her flare-ups have left behind patches of hyperpigmentation where her skin is noticeably darker and ashy.
    — Sierra Leone Starks, Allure, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Katy Perry, Gayle King and Lauren Sánchez Go to Space and Back in Historic All-Female Blue Origin Flight While in orbit, Bowe held up a Bahamas patch, a tribute to her family.
    — Brian Brant, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of patch
Noun
  • California and other states have spent much of the past decade trying to get out of this predicament by undoing single-family zoning laws and streamlining permitting for apartments, backyard cottages and other higher-density housing.
    — Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Why Canned Wine? Archer Roose Wines, co-owned by chief creative officer and actress Elizabeth Banks and CEO Marian Leitner-Waldman, started with this predicament in mind.
    — Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of predicament
Noun
  • In the names of Jackie Robinson and the O’Malley family, don’t put a stain on one of the greatest Dodgers championships ever.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • One shopper even spilled cranberry juice on theirs with no residual stains.
    — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of stain
Noun
  • Neither does the oak, even after almost 25 years, although that small amount of virgin oak barrels in the mix adds a splash of vibrant wood to the flavor profile.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The use of blue and limestone beige reflects Malta’s coastal hues, with accents of vibrant red to offer a splash of contrast.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of splash
Noun
  • In a statement issued last year, Denny’s executive vice president and chief global development officer Stephen Dunn said the locations the company plans to shutter are often too old to be remodeled or are not turning a profit.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
  • The locations highlighted in yellow are new additions.
    — Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
Definition of location
Verb
  • Push the button and voila – exactly the right flavorings are sprinkled down into your recipe.
    — Michael Franco, New Atlas, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Not exactly despair, but resignation set in, as though sheltering in the basement and sprinkling the children with holy water were to be the accommodating ministrations.
    — Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of sprinkle
Verb
  • According to the Miami Herald, a separate guest stayed in the room with Tillman's dead body in the closet, but didn't notice it.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Filing electronically is usually the fastest way for taxpayers to receive their refunds, as the system flags common errors that taxpayers may otherwise not notice.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of notice
Verb
  • Each machine has two or three spray arms, at least one on the bottom and one on the top: This is where the detergent-y water comes from.
    — Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Stock Hill, south of the Plaza 7 critical violations for a March 31 routine inspection 4800 Main St. Inside steakhouse’s kitchen, spray bottles full of chemicals were not marked with the name of the substance, according to the inspector.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of spray

Phrases Containing spot

Browse Nearby Words

sporty
spot
spotless
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Cite this Entry

“Spot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spot. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spot

Nglish: Translation of spot for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spot

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