scatter 1 of 2

noun

Definition of scatternext
as in handful
a small number played before only a scatter of spectators in that huge stadium

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scatter

2 of 2

verb

ˈska-tər How to pronounce scatter (audio)
1
as in to disperse
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart the noise of the backfiring car scattered the pigeons

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to spray
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on the hillside was scattered with boulders deposited by the last ice age

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb scatter differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scatter are dispel, disperse, and dissipate. While all these words mean "to cause to separate or break up," scatter implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions.

the bowling ball scattered the pins

When could dispel be used to replace scatter?

The meanings of dispel and scatter largely overlap; however, dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering.

an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

In what contexts can disperse take the place of scatter?

The words disperse and scatter are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group.

police dispersed the crowd

Where would dissipate be a reasonable alternative to scatter?

In some situations, the words dissipate and scatter are roughly equivalent. However, dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance.

the fog was dissipated by the morning sun

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
Noun
They are tinted with colors when the setting Sun scatters light. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 12 Feb. 2025 The savory meal is complemented by a tangy scatter of pickled slaw, a perfect punctuation. —Matthew Odam, Austin American-Statesman, 24 May 2024
Verb
Art and furniture from Gupta’s own personal collection is scattered throughout. —Sarah Khan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025 Debris lay scattered from the top of the tower, which controlled all air traffic in the capital of Myanmar, the photos showed on Saturday. —Time, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scatter
  1. handful
  2. disperse
  3. spray
  4. dissipate
  5. couple
  6. sprinkle
  7. disappear
  8. dot
Noun
  • Nabulsi’s inter-generational drama is carefully composed, though the movie’s other subplots (concerning its handful of American and British characters) tend to be more stilted.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • These shares are only bettered by a handful of players across the league.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of handful
Verb
  • Given recent rumors that those in bondage intended to rebel, the delegation accepted his explanation, withdrew and convinced the waiting crowd outside to disperse.
    — Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
  • As more cops were called to the scene the group dispersed, with more than 200 vehicles speeding off in all directions., Tristian Nandram, 18, of Jamaica, Queens, was arrested about 4 a.m. Monday at another meetup, this one at Zarega and Gleason Ave.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of disperse
Verb
  • The moment when drivers on the podium pick up the bottles of champagne at their feet, shake them up and spray each other stands as one of F1’s most storied traditions.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Pulling up your bootstraps and spraying some tough on it is important.
    — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of spray
Verb
  • The money people know how to use that glaze-over stuff to be able to dissipate the outrage that would result if citizens really knew that politicians were being paid off for certain results.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Yet forecasters also warned that flooding could continue for several days in the affected areas even after the heavy rains have dissipated.
    — Joe Hernandez, NPR, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of dissipate
Noun
  • The couple met shortly after college and bonded over their love of basketball.
    — Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The couple said these U.S. destinations are must-see spots.
    — Ashley J. DiMella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of couple
Verb
  • Push the button and voila – exactly the right flavorings are sprinkled down into your recipe.
    — Michael Franco, New Atlas, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Not exactly despair, but resignation set in, as though sheltering in the basement and sprinkling the children with holy water were to be the accommodating ministrations.
    — Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of sprinkle
Verb
  • Legal experts have said the inadvertent sharing of national defense information with The Atlantic reported added to the group would likely violate the Espionage Act, while the chat’s disappearing message function would also run afoul of public records laws.
    — Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The case was the first of dozens of pending lawsuits to reach trial in Louisiana against the world’s leading oil companies for their role in accelerating land loss along the state’s rapidly disappearing coast.
    — Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of disappear
Verb
  • Stray disposable plates and cups dot the apartment.
    — David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Mounds of garbage bags, some several feet high, dot the red-brick streets like pins on a corkboard.
    — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of dot

Browse Nearby Words

scatted
scatter
scatterbrain
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Cite this Entry

“Scatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scatter. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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