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
Everett Potter, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
This year, the Southeast and East Coast are well represented among players' hometowns, with a healthy scattering of places in the eastern-central portion of the country.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
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
This mountain has long had clusters of condos and townhouses, scatterings of private homes, and comfortable lodgings like the Sugarloaf Mountain Inn, which has exceptionally friendly service, good food at the restaurant 45 North, and a blessedly short walk to the lifts.
—Everett Potter, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
This year, the Southeast and East Coast are well represented among players' hometowns, with a healthy scattering of places in the eastern-central portion of the country.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
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
-
That index, constructed by academics, reflects newspaper reports about government policy, expiring tax code provisions and dispersion of economic forecasts.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
-
The chance of a superpower confrontation now seemed remote, and the most urgent threats seemed to come from the dispersion of former Soviet nuclear materials and expertise to other countries or subnational groups.—
Gideon Rose,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Of course, Trump is eagerly taking credit for a handful of positive data points while blaming his predecessor for, or simply shrugging at, all the bad news.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Disturbed is a regular fixture on a handful of Billboard charts these days.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 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 long-standing separation suggests that island arcs and shifting land masses may have once provided a pathway for dispersal, only to later become isolated through geological changes.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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The dispersals are stirring bitter memories of the 1948 war over Israel’s creation, when some 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from or fled their homes in what’s now Israel.—
Julia Frankel,
TIME,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Here are six things emotionally secure couples do differently: 1.—
Rachel Glik, Contributor,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2025
-
In February 2025, Vanity Fair published a cover story about the couple’s lives in California.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
Fox News,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The inquiry into their use came during a 2023 dispute between the city and the Crane Boulevard Safety Coalition, which stumbled on the disappearing messages after the city approved the construction of a home in Mount Washington.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
23 Dec. 2024
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Attorneys for the coalition learned about the disappearing messages through the lawsuit’s discovery process.—
Tony Barboza,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
At several points, the action pauses and an ensemble of actors in Edwardian dress scatters around the deck in panic, wearing Titanic-style life vests that foreshadow the play’s catastrophic climax.—
Houman Barekat,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
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My air purifiers’ internal sensors, some using the same technology as my air quality monitors—a tiny chamber where a beam of light scatters picking up the particulates, even the invisible PM 2.5—automatically cranked up their fans.—
Lisa Wood Shapiro,
WIRED,
7 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattering. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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