splatter

1 of 3

verb

splat·​ter ˈspla-tər How to pronounce splatter (audio)
splattered; splattering; splatters
Synonyms of splatternext

transitive verb

: spatter

intransitive verb

: to scatter or fall in or as if in drops

splatter

2 of 3

noun

: spatter, splash

splatter

3 of 3

adjective

: characterized by extreme or excessive gore or violence
a splatter movie

Synonyms

Verb

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Examples of splatter in a Sentence

Verb Mud splattered everywhere when the wet dog shook himself. Rain splattered against the windows. A big bug splattered against the windshield of the car.
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.
Verb
Flip the bacon carefully to avoid splattering grease on the heating element. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025 On Wednesday, March 12, the actress, 35, was photographed with fake blood splattered on her face and clothes while filming a scene with Josh Hartnett for Verity in New York City. — Tommy McArdle, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
The star also appeared to be teasing a corresponding music video on Instagram Wednesday (March 12), sharing a clip of herself in a red corset with what appears to be bloody splatters on her cheeks. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2025 Thankfully for Troma fans, the reboot stuck to the splatter film spirit of the original. — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
The avid reader in your life will adore this set of splatter paint bookends made of concrete casts. — Jessica Cherner, House Beautiful, 11 Nov. 2022 The film is a mess of tones and ideas, lugubrious splatter-movie violence mixed with a confused desire to appeal to the Stranger Things demographic. — Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 20 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for splatter

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably blend of splash and spatter

First Known Use

Verb

1785, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of splatter was in 1785

Rhymes for splatter

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Browse Nearby Words

splatter
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Cite this Entry

“Splatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splatter. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

splatter

verb
splat·​ter
ˈsplat-ər
1
: spatter entry 1 sense 1
2
: to scatter or fall in or as if in drops
splatter noun

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