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
Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026
And more than 3,000 other places across the country, plus a scattering around the world.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Use container groupings to build a garden room Instead of scattering single pots around the patio, group plants in clusters of varying heights.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scattering
Noun
Because the observation occurred beyond Earth's atmosphere, the view was not affected by atmospheric scattering or distortion, offering higher contrast and sharper detail.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026
And more than 3,000 other places across the country, plus a scattering around the world.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Mineral Wells storm blew through an industrial park, shredding buildings, ripping apart roofs and scattering debris across the area.
—S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Use container groupings to build a garden room Instead of scattering single pots around the patio, group plants in clusters of varying heights.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattering
Noun
-
This proprietary approach overcomes challenges of surface treatment and dispersion associated with the material.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Goldman notes that the three-month realized pairwise correlation among the major AI hyperscalers—Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle—has fallen sharply, with rising dispersion among the dominant names.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Osvaldo displayed a handful of shiny quarters.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
The Blue Demons are set to return Layden Blocker and Kruz McClure, while adding center Magoon Gwath from San Diego State and a handful of mid-major guards after losing leading duo CJ Gunn and NJ Benson.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Experts and congressional aides have said that Iran was likely able to preserve some of its arsenal by deploying decoys and dispersing weapons around the country.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
-
Johnson mentioned the possibility of Mexican wolves dispersing into Texas from the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area, which covers portions of Arizona and New Mexico south of Interstate 40.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The scene was chaotic, Mosser said, with federal agents pepper-spraying community members, engaging with protestors, raising non-lethal weapons and even unholstering their guns.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Those incidents involved tackling and arresting a journalist, slamming a man to the ground, spraying people with pepper spray, punching a bystander and pointing his firearm at bystanders, according to the report.—
Selina Guevara,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The crowd thinned as clouds of dust headed toward Brickell Avenue before dissipating, revealing a sunny, blue sky.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
-
At least, the tension between Jenna and Eddy is dissipating.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What Remains Unknown Zagury noted in her Mongabay interview that much is still unknown — particularly the extent to which toucans actually drive seed dispersal and forest regrowth.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Scientists are continuing to study exactly how much the toucans are driving seed dispersal and long-term forest regrowth.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The couple reportedly have a home in New York City, where the party could be held.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
Bradford advises packing one blanket per family member, along with a couple of extras.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Planting a clover lawn is as easy as sprinkling topsoil over an even distribution of seeds, followed by watering.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Fort Worth Aviation Museum suffered damages on every single plane at their facility, and hail broke through their exhibit building, sprinkling insulation onto the entire gallery.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattering. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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