as in handful
a small number
played before only a scatter of spectators in that huge stadium
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to disperse
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
3
as in to dissipate
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 scatter
John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 2025
To date, all items raised from the Titanic have been recovered from within a 15-square-mile debris field — a vast underwater scatter zone formed when the ship broke apart during its final descent.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 July 2025
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025
Years of mergers, cloud migrations and siloed operations have scattered information across countless systems with inconsistent definitions and unclear ownership.
—Jay Limburn, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scatter
Noun
When the moon moves into the inner part of Earth's shadow, or umbra, according to NASA, some of the sunlight entering Earth's skies scatters before reaching the moon's surface.
—John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 2025
To date, all items raised from the Titanic have been recovered from within a 15-square-mile debris field — a vast underwater scatter zone formed when the ship broke apart during its final descent.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 July 2025
Verb
Here, neutrons knock protons out of a thin polyethylene foil – and their scattering angles depend on the energies of the neutrons.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025
Years of mergers, cloud migrations and siloed operations have scattered information across countless systems with inconsistent definitions and unclear ownership.
—Jay Limburn, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scatter
Noun
-
The show got underway outdoors at Borough Hall with a handful of guests and many more onlookers (the runway was raised, which was a nice touch).—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
-
To bridge the gap, a handful of states have enacted orders expanding and protecting access, issuing blanket prescriptions, executive orders and insurance coverage requirements.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kirk is thrown backwards by the shot, which appeared to hit his neck, before the crowd disperses in panic.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
Leaving the liner hanging on the shower rod and curtain rings, spray the solution generously all over the shower curtain liner.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Villareal personally sprayed 158 helmets, sometimes spending upward of 15 hours a day working to get the BSU gear ready on time.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Instead of sound radiating out at all angles, the sound is redirected by solid glass upwards to initially dissipate vertically instead of horizontally.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The couple shared two children, a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son, according to posts on social media.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Earlier in the week, the couple attended the fourth annual Kering Foundation Caring for Women dinner—the most talked about NYFW benefit.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The menu shifts between Spanish, Greek and Italian influences, with dishes such as classic caviar and jamón Ibérico croquetas sprinkled with gold leaf, and sea bass, hamachi and salmon crudi prepared lightly and vibrantly.—
Melinda Sheckells,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
To top it off, slather with cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with pecans.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But before long his hearing begins to disappear, leading him down a panicked trail of denial, anger and desperation.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Normally that motion disappears without a trace, but a growing field of research aims to capture it and turn it into electricity for sensors, wearable devices and other small electronics.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While there is no ocean view, the rolling hills dotted with flora are beautiful.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Along Spain’s northern coast lies a path dotted with small villages and undisturbed landscapes.—
Hayley Domin,
AFAR Media,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scatter. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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