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
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
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
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
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
The steps between the front door and the register are few, but the merchandise scattered around the perimeter of the less than 900-square-foot space kept me occupied.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scatter
Noun
This phenomenon occurs as sunlight bends and scatters through Earth's atmosphere, casting warm hues onto the lunar surface, according to NASA.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
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
Verb
Things only get less interesting as that love triangles widens into an awkward kind of square, the chiaroscuro splendor of Soderbergh’s cinematography laboring to compensate for a murder-mystery that’s as scattered and impenetrable as Berlin itself.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
The steps between the front door and the register are few, but the merchandise scattered around the perimeter of the less than 900-square-foot space kept me occupied.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scatter
Noun
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Of course, Trump is eagerly taking credit for a handful of positive data points while blaming his predecessor for, or simply shrugging at, all the bad news.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Disturbed is a regular fixture on a handful of Billboard charts these days.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
This inflationary period, begun by the Big Bang, continued, and the universe dispersed and cooled.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
12 Mar. 2025
-
And so, just be mindful of how this resource, which is a city resource, is being dispersed.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
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
-
Note that Apple provided us with the 15-inch version of the Air to test and that the 13-inch version may throttle a bit more aggressively, depending on how well its heatsink dissipates heat.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
11 Mar. 2025
-
The rush to judgment did not dissipate with Worthy’s release.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
In February 2025, Vanity Fair published a cover story about the couple’s lives in California.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
Fox News,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Lightly brush tops of dough wedges with more heavy cream; sprinkle with turbinado sugar.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2025
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For some, the lockdown was sprinkled with physical terror as questions arose about where to place Ebola victims.—
Edna Bonhomme,
Rolling Stone,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
There are still matches when Isak is on the fringes — Bournemouth, Fulham and West Ham in 2025 — and when his hold-up play disappears, leaving Newcastle toothless up top.—
Chris Waugh,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
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Engagement disappears, and the content falls flat—or worse.—
Jamie Gutfreund,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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There are some 2,000 elk on the property and several lodges dotting the grounds, as well as two heated helicopter pads for year-round use.—
Joyce Chen,
Architectural Digest,
13 Mar. 2025
-
More than 80% of the 117 Seven Mile Drive properties dot the perimeter of the Dye’s Valley Course, brainchild of designers Pete Dye, Bobby Weed and 1982 Players champion Jerry Pate.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scatter. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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