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
The Spartans and the Punishers are the latest chapter in the spotty history of Colorado arena football, which has been unable to sustain long-term momentum.
—
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Cellphone service inside the ballroom was spotty.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The service, despite there being Wi-Fi, was spotty.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Coverage is the concern, with spotty zone awareness/spacing and the risk of being mismatched in man.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spotty
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Cellphone service inside the ballroom was spotty.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The service, despite there being Wi-Fi, was spotty.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Coverage is the concern, with spotty zone awareness/spacing and the risk of being mismatched in man.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spotty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotty
Adjective
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Flows are narcoleptic, drums are sporadic, and melodies are soft enough to live in a dollhouse.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
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Still, sporadic cross-border fighting had continued even while delegations from the two sides were attending the talks in Urumqi.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Similar to the actress’s blouse, this Amazon find has billowy long sleeves, a playful dotted print, and a tie neckline that adds extra fashion flair when poking out from under spring jackets and blazers.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
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Cane-Like Begonias Cane-like begonias, known as angel wings, are known for their glossy, dotted, or hairy foliage.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The crew had intermittent toilet trouble from the first day of the mission.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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Ways to lower your blood sugar naturally include making lifestyle changes like walking after meals, eating more fiber, and using intermittent fasting.—
Cynthia Sass,
Health,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When the Woods Hole Science Aquarium reopens in 2027, the split-colored lobster is expected to be among the animals on display for visitors — a 1-in-50-million catch that went from a Cape Cod fishing boat to a permanent home at a Massachusetts aquarium.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
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Deputies put out a be-on-the-lookout for a dark-colored car.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
According to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth/Dallas, showers and occasional storms will mainly affect Central Texas and the western portions of North Texas on Thursday, April 30.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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However, dark chocolate is high in sugar and calories, so it should be eaten in moderation as an occasional treat.—
Amber J. Tresca,
Verywell Health,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
While playing his first full season as a starter last year, Manning looked like an erratic youngster for the first half of 2025, before eventually settling in and playing much better ball down the stretch.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Trump’s erratic tariffs, his contempt for NATO, and uneven support for Ukraine’s defense against a Russian invasion have left him fairly alone.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotty. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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