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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of speck
Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
Within the span of a few days, an innocuous speck can turn a loaf of bread from prime sandwich material into a hideous mass of blue-green fuzz—an appetite-killing sight if ever there was one.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 1 May 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
Unlike many of its competitors, Sir Kensington’s vegan mayo also includes flavorings like rosemary extract, mustard extract, lemon oil, citric acid, and black pepper—which means the final product has distinct black specks, while most others are an unadulterated eggshell in color.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
Within the span of a few days, an innocuous speck can turn a loaf of bread from prime sandwich material into a hideous mass of blue-green fuzz—an appetite-killing sight if ever there was one.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 1 May 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
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Santo My Palo can best be described as an otherworldly nude shade with multicolored glittery flecks suspended in the gel that reflect light for a mega-watt sparkle.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
27 May 2025
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The formula—which sparkles in the bottle with rose-gold flecks of glitter—is made more indulgent yet with its gourman, coconut-milk scent.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Sinner gave him almost no chances, but there was a glimmer of light in the 10th game, when Djokovic had four chances to break Sinner’s serve.—
Jerome Pugmire,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
-
The shoes and matching Bon Bon bag added a splash of color and glimmer to the look.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
The science transparency rule in the first Trump administration was intended to limit the EPA’s ability to consider epidemiologic studies like those that established the health harms from exposure to secondhand smoke and to PM2.5, fine particles often from pollution.—
H. Christopher Frey,
The Conversation,
5 June 2025
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Large particles from Sahara dust can also cause skin and eye irritation, the CDC said.—
Leah Sarnoff,
ABC News,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Remove from the heat and sprinkle the gelatin over the top and let stand for about 5 minutes.—
Georgeanne Brennan,
Mercury News,
5 June 2025
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It’s topped with various treats like toffee pieces, caramel popcorn, and golden star sprinkles.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Their backs are a mixture of cream dots, orange-ish speckles and brown blotches.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2025
-
These are more typically animals with stripes instead of blotches, missing patterns, and similar.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Sincerely, People with functioning eyes and a shred of honesty.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
-
Please be advised that the dress code is either pastel-Easter-egg chic or ripped black shreds and absolutely nothing in between.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
Noun
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From its cute-fake soundstage-town setting to the authoritative yet chummy voice-over narration (courtesy of Nick Offerman), The Life of Chuck works doggedly to give you the warm fuzzies—and a little bit of that fuzz goes a long way.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
6 June 2025
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Not only is sitting on the potty all by yourself a little bit scary, but nobody likes putting play to a stop to use the potty, either.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Starting from the broad goal of providing more shade, the process expanded in 2021 and eventually resulted in the planters that now dot the streets.—
Thomas E. Weber,
Time,
6 June 2025
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Maine is best known for its dramatic coastline, which is rugged and rocky and dotted with lighthouses and fishing villages serving up fresh-from-the-ocean seafood.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Speck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speck. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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