scatter

verb

scat·ter | \ˈska-tər

scattered; scattering; scatters

Definition of scatter

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to cause to separate widely

b : to cause to vanish

2 archaic : to fling away heedlessly : squander

3 : to distribute irregularly

4 : to sow by casting in all directions : strew

5a : to reflect irregularly and diffusely

b : to cause (a beam of radiation) to diffuse or disperse

6 : to divide into ineffectual small portions

intransitive verb

1 : to separate and go in various directions : disperse

2 : to occur or fall irregularly or at random

scatter

noun

Definition of scatter (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the act of scattering

2 : a small quantity or number irregularly distributed or strewn about : scattering

3 : the state or extent of being scattered especially : dispersion

Other Words from scatter Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about scatter

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for scatter

Verb

scatter, disperse, dissipate, dispel 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 disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group. police dispersed the crowd dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance. the fog was dissipated by the morning sun dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering. an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

Examples of scatter in a Sentence

Verb

The wind scattered the pile of leaves. The marbles scattered across the floor. She scattered the books on the table. He scatters his toys all around the house.

Noun

played before only a scatter of spectators in that huge stadium

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The men were possibly running after each other, as shell casings were scattered around the parking lot, Metro Video reported. — Samantha Ketterer, Houston Chronicle, "Man injured in Cypress Station gunfight," 13 July 2018 Lime said its service, which lets customers rent scooters scattered around cities and leave them on the sidewalk for the next person to pick up, is available in more than 70 markets in the U.S. and Europe. — Eric Newcomer And Brad Stone, chicagotribune.com, "Uber will rent scooters through its app in partnership with Lime," 9 July 2018 This probable all-time heat record is one of many set over the last 10 days due to numerous intense heat domes scattered around the Northern Hemisphere. — Jason Samenow, Washington Post, "Africa may have witnessed its all-time hottest temperature Thursday: 124 degrees in Algeria," 6 July 2018 The shoes are made at small artisanal factories scattered around the world. — Linda Dyett, New York Times, "John Fluevog Is Cool Again. Maybe He Always Was.," 5 July 2018 Inman’s was the first driving licence in Atlanta—1930s records warbling away, and the cook’s handwritten memos to self (correct deportment at the dinner table as well as menus) scattered around her kitchen. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "A Visit to Atlanta's Historic Swan House, Where Whimsy and Chintz Still Reign," 27 Apr. 2018 One particular problem with peering at the insides of living organisms is that the surface of the subject tends to scatter light, distorting the image. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Watch Cells Move Within Living Animals in This Breathtaking Footage," 30 Apr. 2018 One by one, the Spurs filed out of Oracle Arena on Tuesday night after the premature end of a disappointing season, preparing to scatter to the winds. — Jeff Mcdonald, San Antonio Express-News, "For Spurs’ Murray, summertime is no vacation," 27 Apr. 2018 Ryan Karbalaieasghar and Lassen combined to scatter five hits and struck out six in three innings on the hill. — Gary Curreri, Sun-Sentinel.com, "North Springs' youngest all-stars a big hit in sectional tournament," 9 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Air on Earth scatters shorter-wavelength light, including most of the blues and greens (which trickle down to us on the planet’s surface), leaving the longer reds to spotlight the moon. — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, "The Century’s Longest Lunar Eclipse Will Shroud the Moon This Month," 2 July 2018 This employs long-wavelength light to penetrate into and scatter from biological tissues, building up a three-dimensional picture of that tissue. — The Economist, "The eye's structure holds information about the health of the mind," 28 June 2018 Toss shallots with remaining teaspoon oil and scatter around chicken. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "Whatever You Do, Do NOT Tell Ina Garten About Jennifer Garner’s Favorite Soup Hack," 22 May 2018 Generously drizzle with oil and scatter chile over. — Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit, "Wilted Greens in Tomato-Bacon Broth," 28 May 2018 Toss shallots with remaining teaspoon oil and scatter around chicken. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "Whatever You Do, Do NOT Tell Ina Garten About Jennifer Garner’s Favorite Soup Hack," 22 May 2018 To reduce the chances of extensive damage, scatter-plant onions throughout the garden. — The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow Onions," 1 Feb. 2018 Air molecules and particulates in it—things like water molecules, dust, and smoke particles—scatter and absorb laser light, resulting in a loss of power. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "How the Military Will Be Revolutionized By Laser Weaponry," 11 Mar. 2016 Cape Town, South Africa, was the family’s first trip after Jerry’s death, the place of the first ash scatter. — Laurie Eynon, ajc, "Personal Journeys: 100 places to scatter his ashes," 1 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scatter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.