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
-
Paris has mastered a handful of signature cuts — think French bobs, effortlessly perfect fringes, and long, layered styles.—
Jacqueline Kilikita,
refinery29.com,
5 Mar. 2025
-
The Grandview police and fire departments have a handful of remaining chaplains who are not associated with IHOPKC, Poindexter said.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Zoom in: The Biden EPA had fully obligated and begun dispersing that money, which officials believed protected it from outright Republican repeal efforts via reconciliation.—
Nick Sobczyk,
Axios,
12 Mar. 2025
-
This inflationary period, begun by the Big Bang, continued, and the universe dispersed and cooled.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
So, if the water pressure suddenly drops off and the sprinklers no longer spray as far as usual, this is a sign that there might be a blockage in the system.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2025
-
The blaze is seemingly just outside of a building, and firefighters' hoses can be seen spraying the plane to put out the fire.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
9 Mar. 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
-
This is a primary example of love winning–congratulations to the couple!—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Tickets to the event start at $10,000 per couple, rising to $100,000 per couple for event chairs, per an invite.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 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
-
Potato Cakes were replaced by crinkle fries in 2021, then briefly rejoined Arby’s menu in July 2024, but once again disappeared—resulting in an outcry from fans on social media.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2025
-
While these items are disappearing, Starbucks customers can still create similar beverages through custom orders.—
Francisco Velasquez,
Quartz,
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 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share