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
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Recent Examples of scatter
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Because blue light has a shorter wavelength and scatters relatively easily, that's why our sky appears in that color most of the time.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 17 June 2025
The results were disappointing, mainly because the thruster gases around the spacecraft scattered the light.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scatter
Noun
Some $2 billion in advance bookings was left on the table that year, although a buoyant scatter market helped claw back a good deal of those dollars beginning with the fourth quarter of 2009.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Because blue light has a shorter wavelength and scatters relatively easily, that's why our sky appears in that color most of the time.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
Hendricks gave up a double to Cody Bellinger with two outs in the first, and then scattered three singles through the rest of his outing.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 17 June 2025
The results were disappointing, mainly because the thruster gases around the spacecraft scattered the light.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for scatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scatter
Noun
-
The Trump administration has already charged a handful of defendants with terrorism offenses since designating CJNG and seven other Latin American crime organizations as FTOs in February.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 June 2025
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However, Barco’s HDR format is only available in a handful of US theaters, but, as per its recent announcement, 25 more are on their way by the end of the year.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
As workforces become increasingly dispersed in the future and employees become more mobile than ever, retaining institutional memory is a significant business concern.—
Bhushan Parikh,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
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Police could also be heard on loudspeakers urging the crowd to disperse.—
Stepheny Price , Christina Coleman,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
Hammerhead worms can also be sprayed with a combination of citrus oil (like orange essence) and vinegar, the Texas Invasive Species Institute states.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
-
Any proposals that recommend routine insecticide spraying of your trees and shrubs should be questioned.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
Outdoor allergens don’t just dissipate after the early months of spring; in fact, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, many allergy symptoms can actually worsen from summer to fall because grasses are the most common trigger for hay fever.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 June 2025
-
The deployment of additional soldiers was ordered despite the fact that demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement raids across the city have largely dissipated.—
Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
One of the strongest couples on the show was The Real Housewives of New York City alum Luann De Lesseps and James.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
16 June 2025
-
Officials say the couple were shot and killed early Saturday in their home in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park by a man impersonating a police officer.—
Michel Martin,
NPR,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
Allow cookies to cool completely before sprinkling powdered sugar on the walnut cookies.—
Lillian Ali,
Smithsonian Magazine,
17 June 2025
-
The Steelers also sprinkled in Cover 2 on about 12 percent of snaps (20th) and some other split-field coverages like Cover 6 (quarter, quarter, half).—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
Growing your personal brand means setting clear boundaries or watching your day disappear.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
When Solutions acquired the property for program participants, crime disappeared.—
Paul C Webster,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Even some of the international prospects who often dotted the late first round and early second are now taking big NIL offers from colleges around the country as their first move to the United States to play basketball.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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Along the route, trekkers engage with local culture and stay at the mountain lodges that dot the trail, including Kongde Lodge.—
Chloe Berge,
Outside Online,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scatter. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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