1
as in dispersion
an act or process in which something scatters or is scattered
the scattering of the protesters suddenly turned violent and chaotic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in handful
a small number
a scattering of people in the mostly empty theater
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in dispersing
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 spraying
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 dissipating
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 scattering
Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025
With uninterrupted views of Singapore and a scattering of tables and lounges, this is an excellent spot to watch the sun melt with a frosty G&T. Unlike most rooftop bars in Singapore, this one still feels like a bit of a secret.
—Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Dec. 2024
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2024
Cluster artillery popped open, scattering scores of lethal submunitions.
—David Axe, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scattering 
Noun
Forward scattering can make a comet appear significantly brighter, especially when the phase angle is high.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025
With uninterrupted views of Singapore and a scattering of tables and lounges, this is an excellent spot to watch the sun melt with a frosty G&T. Unlike most rooftop bars in Singapore, this one still feels like a bit of a secret.
—Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
When preparing your impressive dessert spread this holiday season, consider scattering in a few of these limited-time cookies to add a touch of color to your platter.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2024
Cluster artillery popped open, scattering scores of lethal submunitions.
—David Axe, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattering
Noun
-
The map below gives an estimation of the geographic dispersion of crypto investors.—
Javier Paz,
Forbes,
28 Jan. 2025
-
The dispersion of shrapnel is associated with explosives.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Their list of alumnae dwarfs that of many professional clubs: Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Heather O’Reilly, Tobin Heath, Lucy Bronze, Crystal Dunn, Alessia Russo and Emily Fox, to name just a handful.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Bilson’s quippy Summer Roberts was originally written into only a handful of episodes.—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Safety-net programs Programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) will continue dispersing aid during a shutdown.—
Brian Bennett,
TIME,
20 Dec. 2024
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Try making your own candles, or dispersing the scent with essential oils or a stovetop simmer pot.—
Halee Miller Van Ryswyk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
This unique design enhances spore dispersal, which ensures that the earthstar’s next generation can spread far and wide—according to a 2009 study published in the Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists Society.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
19 Dec. 2024
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Over the span of thousands of years, tasty fruit has proven to be a good way to help with seed dispersal in the environment.—
Heather Zidack,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Kate and Anthony were the central couple in season 2 of the Netflix period series, as each installment features a different member of the high-society Bridgerton family as a main character, along with their love interest.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
16 Feb. 2025
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In the first half of the season, five couples get engaged after many very serious conversations, including LGBTQ+ rights and Black Lives Matter opinions (or lack of, in Ben’s case).—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The disappearing chat feature is part of a Google Workspace suite that is accessible to about 26,000 employees and has been available in some form since the early 2010s, when the city began contracting with Google for email and other services, Magos said.—
Tony Barboza,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Dec. 2024
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The investigation was the result of an agreement between the city and a community group, the Crane Boulevard Safety Coalition, which found out about the disappearing messages in the course of litigation involving the construction of a home in Mount Washington.—
Tony Barboza,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This phenomenon occurs as sunlight bends and scatters through Earth's atmosphere, casting warm hues onto the lunar surface, according to NASA.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
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Science says there's a reason When the moon moves into the inner part of Earth's shadow, or umbra, some of the sunlight entering Earth's skies scatters before reaching the moon's surface, according to NASA.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American-Statesman,
5 June 2024
Verb
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This liquid exfoliant penetrates deep into the pores, dissolving the buildup of excess oil and dead skin cells, which helps to prevent clogged pores and breakouts because, yes, acne can still be an issue as you age.—
Jordan Galloway,
SELF,
3 Jan. 2025
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The president of the United States was mentally collapsing, and nobody outside of conservative dissidents wanted to talk about it until Joe Biden forced the matter upon us all by dissolving in public.—
The Editors,
National Review,
3 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near scattering
Cite this Entry
“Scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattering. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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