as in handful
a small number
a smattering of guests at the art exhibit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 smattering
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026
When manager Warren Schaeffer removed him in the sixth, Castaño received a smattering of applause and tipped his hat to the crowd on his way to the dugout as if responding to a standing ovation.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Stalled by the pandemic, the festival’s inaugural edition took place in Jeddah’s Al-Balad old city neighborhood in 2021 with a make-shift cinema, rudimentary industry hub and a smattering of A-list guests and has since grown into one of the biggest film festivals in the Middle East.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 June 2026
After loading the bases, Fairbanks exited to a smattering of boos before Zuber entered and struck out Junior Caminero.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Noun
Dominical, another popular surf destination located next to Uvita, has a smattering of luxury villas and hotels, like Lamangata Luxury Surf Resort.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026
When manager Warren Schaeffer removed him in the sixth, Castaño received a smattering of applause and tipped his hat to the crowd on his way to the dugout as if responding to a standing ovation.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Stalled by the pandemic, the festival’s inaugural edition took place in Jeddah’s Al-Balad old city neighborhood in 2021 with a make-shift cinema, rudimentary industry hub and a smattering of A-list guests and has since grown into one of the biggest film festivals in the Middle East.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 June 2026
After loading the bases, Fairbanks exited to a smattering of boos before Zuber entered and struck out Junior Caminero.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smattering
Noun
-
An individual holds a handful of hail pellets in Waite Park, Minnesota, after storms rolled through on June 19, 2026.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
The following are a handful of the most interesting and eye-opening revelations contained in the 2026 Emmys ballots.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
The interview was interrupted multiple times because of rain pattering against the barn roof where it was being held.—
Emily Chang,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
-
Benito finds community with the like-minded Pleneros de la Cresta, who have been playing the island’s pattering folk music for over a decade.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
For the couple, Fan Fest provided the perfect competitive backdrop.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
Also on Monday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani seemed to confirm that at least part of the couple’s wedding festivities will take place in New York over Fourth of July weekend.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Nine days after the Negra Francisca sank, another Ecuadorean fishing boat was trolling the fertile fishing grounds off the Galapagos.—
Foreign Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
But there’s something more than trolling at work, something elemental in the response to Scranton.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The fights were slightly delayed because of inclement weather, and so we were treated, first, to a quartet of chattering analysts wearing natty, snug suits.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
Wednesday evening, dozens crowded into the community room of a local church, chattering in Spanish and English in the fading light of day as part of a forum on the upcoming ICE facility.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
However, the animals did survive and seemed set on helping their family survive too, repeatedly bleating and stomping on the debris covering the bunker.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
21 May 2026
-
Players started bleating, serenading James with sounds deserving of the GOAT — greatest of all time.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
In the end, despite the early promise and intrigue, The Boroughs is just another bland, unsatisfying Netflix Original series limping and sputtering to its foregone conclusion.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
Their side hustle is sputtering toward some sort of finish line, the Saudi’s Public Investment Fund having pulled the cashflow that made LIV so appealing in the first place.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
In an eventual 57-point Hurricanes victory, Stevenson was balling and jabbering about it, too, to every Wildcats pass catcher within earshot.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smattering. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
