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
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
2 June 2026
The Smugglers Run riders must make a critical choice as the trio of starships filled with the bounty scatter in three different directions.
—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
26 May 2026
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 July 2026
My will is scattered, directed toward many contradictory things, and easily distracted.
—
Meghan O’Gieblyn,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for scatter
Noun
Another strong scatter market would push the numbers even further along an upward trajectory.
—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
2 June 2026
The Smugglers Run riders must make a critical choice as the trio of starships filled with the bounty scatter in three different directions.
—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
26 May 2026
Verb
Create a Backstock Bin Instead of scattering your extra hangers across closet rods, shelves, and floors, designate one spot for overflow.
—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 July 2026
My will is scattered, directed toward many contradictory things, and easily distracted.
—
Meghan O’Gieblyn,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for scatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scatter
Noun
-
That surge in imports was led largely by a handful of major manufacturing hubs.
-
After the first handful of knockout-stage matches, there are five African nations remaining.
Verb
-
On the solstice, the first goal was to clear trash that had found its way onto the orchard, then form makeshift berms out of rocks dispersed around the space.
-
The San Jose Police Department has declared an unlawful assembly and in the name of the People of the State of California, order all those assembled at Santa Clara St and Almaden Ave to immediately disperse, which means to break up this assembly.
Verb
-
Water jets sprayed mist onto the crowd of mourners, who mostly wore black, with temperatures set to reach 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit), according to a forecast from the UK’s Met Office.
-
On Saturday, volunteers sprayed cooling water on crowds in the summer heat.
Verb
-
Eventually the crowd dissipated, some to head to Arrowhead for the game itself, others to Fan Festival and still others to watch parties across the metro.
-
The song’s spacious production lets its piercing saxophone riffs dissipate into silence, only for borderline obnoxious horns to swirl them back into rhythm.
Noun
-
At a red light, he’s gunned down by a couple of guys on a dirtbike.
-
That happened a couple more times.
Verb
-
Generously sprinkle both sides of the steak well with the dry rub mix.
-
Thomson sprinkles critique throughout his book like seasoning unevenly applied to a gamey piece of meat.
Verb
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His plan worked, and the bear darted to the side of the road before disappearing back into the woods.
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Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Safe havens, in other words, have not disappeared but have become far less predictable.
Noun
-
What links certain mathematical models of traffic flow, shallow-water waves, and quantum particle scattering?
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Distance, absorption, scattering, reflection, and insertion losses all reduce signal strength.
Cite this Entry
“Scatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scatter. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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