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
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.
Recent Examples of scatter
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 5 June 2024
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.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 27 Dec. 2024
Michael Irving, New Atlas, 2 Mar. 2025
An prescription bottle that appeared to be open and pills were found scattered on a countertop near Arakawa's body, the affidavit said.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scatter
Noun
Science says there's a reason When the moon moves into the inner part of Earth's shadow, or umbra, some of the sunlight entering Earth's skies scatters before reaching the moon's surface, according to NASA.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 5 June 2024
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.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
Nearby stars exploding as supernovae relatively recently could scatter it over Earth.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 2 Mar. 2025
An prescription bottle that appeared to be open and pills were found scattered on a countertop near Arakawa's body, the affidavit said.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scatter
Noun
-
But there were a handful of doozies, including: — That DOGE had found hundreds of billions in fraud, but DOGE's numbers just don't add up.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2025
-
There aren’t many places to sit, save for a few folding chairs and tables here and there; only a handful of the home’s six bedrooms have mattresses in them propped up against walls.—
Paula Mejía,
Billboard,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Panasonic also claims the dryer uses electrostatic shock to disperse water molecules into tinier nano-sized particles, which might reduce hair damage.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
WIRED,
27 Feb. 2025
-
While Wings had some lineup changes over a decade-long run that yielded seven studio albums, the McCartneys and Laine remained core members until Wings dispersed in 1981.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Although relatively few minor planets have been explored by spacecraft, a high fraction of them have proved to be anything but boring, some having accompanying moons, others adopting unusual shapes and some spraying jets of debris.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Don’t spray and pray with cold emails, hoping someone bites.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The mixture of euphoria and sheer relief quickly dissipated into the evening air when the Aztecs learned their charter plane home had a mechanical issue that would take several hours to repair.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Mar. 2025
-
So, the researchers have theorized that a super-heated ash cloud that dissipated quickly was actually the first event in the Vesuvius cataclysm.—
Michael Franco,
New Atlas,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The worker contacted a security officer in the subdivision, who went to the house and discovered the couple inside, Mendoza said.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC News,
28 Feb. 2025
-
One couple who seemed to be on different wavelengths from the start was Sara and Ben.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
If desired, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt on top for an extra flavor kick.—
Matt Rozo,
The Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Inside, you’re greeted by a massive vintage armoire; several more candelabras are sprinkled throughout.—
Michael Cuby,
Them,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Without the department, an important incentive to treat all children with dignity and respect could disappear.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Modern examples of such clouds can disappear within minute.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Blackened vegetation dotted the hillsides rising above Pacific Coast Highway.—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Graffiti, street stickers, and paintings dot the streets, suggesting that millions of Berliners bike through an invisible Fourth Reich that is rising all around them.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scatter. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share