as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
a hodgepodge of scattered ideas that didn't add up to a clear hypothesis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in dispersed
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart
the noise of the backfiring car scattered the pigeons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sprayed
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on
the hillside was scattered with boulders deposited by the last ice age
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in dissipated
to go off in different directions and cease to exist as a body or unified whole
these drunken revelers will quickly scatter when the police arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scattered
Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025
The result was a mile-long line that turned scattered craftwork into synchronized production.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
More likely, a supernova occurs inside a galaxy loaded with numerous, scattered clouds of gas and dust.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2025
Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
But when workflows are scattered across several tools or bogged down by complicated rules, users disengage.
—Al Sefati, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
As the moon slipped into the deepest part of our planet's shadow — a period known as totality — a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering saw the moon adopt a bloody red hue, as sunlight scattered by Earth's atmosphere was bent onto the lunar surface.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025
While there have been scattered attacks over the past months in Israel, the last deadly mass shooting attack was in October 2024.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The windshield of a bus on the scene was riddled with bullet holes, and people’s belongings were scattered in the area.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
More banquet seating is scattered throughout the restaurant, which has 238 seats in total.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
According to the researchers, the 40-neutron island of inversion is one of only a few small islands of exotic nuclei scattered across the neutron-rich edge of the nuclear chart, which is dominated by more conventional, stable configurations.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
The photos bear many of the hallmarks of college life, including string lights both inside and out, red solo cups and cans of alcohol, and some clothes scattered on the floor.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The threat for heavy rain in South Florida is diminishing, however typical scattered thunderstorms with locally heavy downpours are still possible in the area through the weekend.
—Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025
The result was a mile-long line that turned scattered craftwork into synchronized production.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
More likely, a supernova occurs inside a galaxy loaded with numerous, scattered clouds of gas and dust.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
One of the popular ways to experience the park is through Jeep tours that can also give you a few of the flowers scattered across the terrain.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
But when workflows are scattered across several tools or bogged down by complicated rules, users disengage.
—Al Sefati, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
As the moon slipped into the deepest part of our planet's shadow — a period known as totality — a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering saw the moon adopt a bloody red hue, as sunlight scattered by Earth's atmosphere was bent onto the lunar surface.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025
While there have been scattered attacks over the past months in Israel, the last deadly mass shooting attack was in October 2024.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The windshield of a bus on the scene was riddled with bullet holes, and people’s belongings were scattered in the area.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
More banquet seating is scattered throughout the restaurant, which has 238 seats in total.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
According to the researchers, the 40-neutron island of inversion is one of only a few small islands of exotic nuclei scattered across the neutron-rich edge of the nuclear chart, which is dominated by more conventional, stable configurations.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
The photos bear many of the hallmarks of college life, including string lights both inside and out, red solo cups and cans of alcohol, and some clothes scattered on the floor.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattered
Adjective
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The agreement says Campbell’s campaign was selected for audit at a random drawing in 2023.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
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The second verse is no less random, with lyrics about moonwalking on a UFO, dropping bars while brushing teeth and a shout out to legendary 2001 blaxploitation-adjacent comedy Pootie Tang.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Video taken at the event shows that, just seconds later, the sound of a gunshot was heard as Kirk appeared to be struck in the head or neck while the crowd around him dispersed in a panic.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
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These targets are often dispersed and lack adequate protection from air defense systems.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kris, 69, then appeared in the video, pretending to scream as her grandchildren sprayed her with even more Silly String.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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How To Disinfect Door Handles Use disinfecting wipes or a disinfecting cleaner sprayed onto a microfiber cloth rather than spraying directly onto the hardware.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kiko has dissipated in the central Pacific Ocean but there is a new disturbance forecasters are keeping tabs on.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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The most recent tropical storm, Fernand, dissipated on August 28, nearly two weeks ago.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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And part of that structure is ensuring that the IRS consistently enforces the code without imposing arbitrary changes on certain taxpayers.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Both sides have also carried out arbitrary detentions, with SAF interrogating and beating dozens of Christians in 2024 and 2025.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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To see those brown eyes, long brown hair, and those freckles sprinkled across her nose.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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The clinical nature of the autopsy report is stark against the remnants of Pauline’s humanity, sprinkled throughout the 11 pages.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
The Tennessean,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Phillips disappeared with his children, Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, 9, after an alleged dispute with their mother back in 2021, PEOPLE previously reported.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
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As veterans organizations plan events this month to remember the tens of thousands of Americans who died, disappeared or were captured in combat, some remains are still being identified through new scientific advances.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But before Wednesday, only four incidents had occurred in Poland during the war, with Romanian and Moldova most affected, although stray drones were detected in Latvia in September 2024 and fellow NATO members Lithuania and Estonia in July and August this year, ACLED said.—
Brendan Cole
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
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Department Director Annette Jose said the attack does not appear to have been done by a stray dog.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattered. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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