scattershot

adjective

scat·​ter·​shot ˈska-tər-ˌshät How to pronounce scattershot (audio)
Synonyms of scattershotnext
: broadly and often randomly inclusive : shotgun
scattershot advice
scattershot planning

Examples of scattershot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
His pocket awareness still needs work, though, and the occasional scattershot stretch pops up from time to time. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026 Some hospitals have started to run their own numbers, but the effort is scattershot. — Duaa Eldeib, CNN Money, 8 May 2026 Some hospitals have started to run their own numbers, but the effort is scattershot. — Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026 Bondi’s scattershot compliance of that law drew outrage from victims. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scattershot

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scattershot was in 1951

Rhymes for scattershot

See All Rhymes for scattershot

Browse Nearby Words

scatter rug
scattershot
scattery
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scattershot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scattershot. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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