1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
only spotty business failures marred the economic boom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dotted
marked with spots
Dalmatians are spotty dogs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 spotty
Thursday will be warmer and breezy with highs in the low 80s with the potential for spotty showers.
—
Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Most of Central Texas is expected to dodge raindrops Tuesday, but those traveling west toward San Angelo have the highest chance of encountering a few light, spotty showers.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
Anthony Davis is injured once again, and his spotty presence is a painful reminder of what the Mavs once had — perhaps the game’s biggest star in Luka Dončić, traded away last season.
—Alex Valdes, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Obesity injections have long been hard for patients to get, due in part to spotty insurance coverage and list prices of roughly $1,000 per month.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spotty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spotty
Adjective
-
The study made a significant contribution, if not clarification, to this academic niche — medieval migration wasn’t seasonal, nor sporadic and intense.—
-
Trying to keep up with tariff news, especially as a consumer who isn't necessarily an expert in economic policy, can feel like dodging sporadic jump scares.—
Adjective
-
And when Bichette puts on another team’s cap and signs on their dotted line, the Red Sox will pivot again.—
-
Cleaning up things, making sure everything’s dotted.—
Adjective
-
Over the past decade, intermittent mass protests have drawn participants from virtually every socioeconomic class, including ethnic minorities on the periphery of the country, labor movements, women, and bazaaris.—
-
Atkins, keto, South Beach, the Zone, low carb, no carb, ultra-low fat, liquid only, Jillian Michaels, Jane Fonda, Suzanne Somers, full-body HIIT workouts, gym memberships, a YMCA weight coach, DietBet, StepBet, a Mediterranean diet, a vegetarian diet, the raw food diet, intermittent fasting.—
Adjective
-
Opt for warm-toned lights to help your space feel extra cozy, or choose multi-colored lights for a touch of nostalgic ‘90s charm.—
-
The Smashing Machine actor wore a classic black tuxedo to the awards show, while his singer wife wore a gold-colored dress.—
Adjective
-
Key Takeaways Your blood pressure is unlikely to be affected by an occasional prime rib dinner.—
-
The austerity gives her plenty of room to writhe, mug, and moan between occasional shots of an inflatable Martian and a tropical-looking Tiffany lamp.—
Adjective
-
Their erratic play continued Sunday night as Moody went 0 for 3 from the field in almost 17 minutes and Podziemski 1 for 4 in 16 minutes while registering a -21.—
-
Trump’s erratic trade policy has also left businesses in a state of paralysis.—
Cite this Entry
“Spotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spotty. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
