1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
only spotty business failures marred the economic boom
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dotted
marked with spots
Dalmatians are spotty dogs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spotty
With many continuing to work remotely, none of the transit providers are believed to have reached ridership levels since the pandemic, although passenger numbers are rising despite spotty bus and rail service provided by the CTA for Chicago commuters.
—
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Officials also relentlessly attacked Goldberg, painting the veteran journalist as a partisan with a spotty track record.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 26 Mar. 2025
However, both need an internet connection, which is not required for boaters and is often spotty at sea.
—Nate Iglehart, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
Meanwhile, an offense that was supposed to be the team’s strength has been spotty.
—Noah Trister, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spotty
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Officials also relentlessly attacked Goldberg, painting the veteran journalist as a partisan with a spotty track record.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 26 Mar. 2025
However, both need an internet connection, which is not required for boaters and is often spotty at sea.
—Nate Iglehart, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
Meanwhile, an offense that was supposed to be the team’s strength has been spotty.
—Noah Trister, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spotty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotty
Adjective
-
Though the May 31 eruption is the only one caught on official video, the USGS has received several reports of other sporadic eruptions over the past year.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
1 June 2025
-
My spring crops were slow to develop this year, stifled by sporadic frosts and bouts of dry weather.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Residents lack running water, use 5-gallon buckets as toilets and must contend with intermittent electricity and deteriorating homes that expose them to the region’s fierce weather.—
Emily Schwing,
ProPublica,
29 May 2025
-
The issues appeared to be largely resolved by around 10 a.m., but some users experienced intermittent issues with the platform until about 11 a.m.—
Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
While a few breeds, such as the Turkish Van, are known to enjoy the occasional swim, the average house cat is famously water-averse.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
-
Having the occasional treat or missing a workout is okay.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
In the wake of multiple plane crashes, and amid erratic federal policies and denials and detentions at border crossings, summer travel in the U.S. is in an uneasy state.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
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Orlov was statistically consistent, but his defensive play was often erratic.—
Cory Lavalette,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotty. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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