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, 22 Apr. 2026
Take this trend a step further and use real fruit in your tablescape for a literal adaptation—scatter fresh, whole oranges, tomatoes, or lemons throughout your dining table and wow your guests with this happy yet uber-simple decor.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
What looked like scattered, individual losses was part of something much larger.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scatter
Noun
After the league’s commercial backers have called dibs, the postseason avails begin trading in the upfront; whatever’s left is sold in scatter, and nearly always at a premium over the prices set in the spring bazaar.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Take this trend a step further and use real fruit in your tablescape for a literal adaptation—scatter fresh, whole oranges, tomatoes, or lemons throughout your dining table and wow your guests with this happy yet uber-simple decor.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
When hunted, poisoned, and persecuted, the coyotes scattered and regrouped, their numbers surging a hundred-fold.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
What looked like scattered, individual losses was part of something much larger.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scatter
Noun
-
The difference comes down to a handful of low-effort tweaks and a few very specific travel accessories that do the heavy lifting.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2026
-
There have been a handful of artists who have been working for years, if not decades, who have landed on the tally, and one of the most successful stars to bridge these styles is playing catch up.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The report suggests that more unhoused people are dispersed across the county than in previous counts.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
When in use, fans can disperse allergens into the air, so keeping them clean can help improve the air quality in your home and help allergy sufferers breathe better.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Mix the repellents with water and spray them directly onto ants or around nests.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 May 2026
-
Ramsbottom was at his desk when the drone smashed through the workspace's tin ceiling, spraying shrapnel in all directions, and lodging a chunk of glass in the back of his head.—
Michael Kaplan,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
This waste occurs because high-energy electrons generated by sunlight rapidly dissipate their excess energy as heat before they can be converted into useful work.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
-
If it can be said that a honeymoon period prevailed following the 2021 agreements, that sense of fellow feeling has long since dissipated.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Though the couple hasn't commented publicly on their relationship, and Foxx has been candid about keeping his relationships out of the spotlight in the past, Huckstepp has supported Foxx at a number of events.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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Something similar happened with Nazem Kadri, who won a Cup in Colorado a couple of seasons after leaving Toronto.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Cowboy hats, oversized belt buckles and Western boots dominated the arrivals for both men and women, while a few sprinkled in Vegas-worthy sparkle.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
-
And Crawford has been sprinkling in a secret catchphrase no one has caught on to yet.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Jewelry couriers carrying armored cases disappear into the famously tiny elevators.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
In one scene, Misael disappears entirely from the forest as the canine roams around in the background while a calf grazes up front.—
Vadim Rizov,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Downstairs, in his office, a wall was dotted with more than a hundred miniature college-team helmets.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Pantelleria Closer to Tunisia than mainland Italy, Pantelleria is a remote volcanic island dotted with traditional dammusi, thick-walled, domed stone dwellings built to keep out the heat.—
Nicky Swallow,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scatter. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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