SCATTERSHOT Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

scattershot

adjective

Definition of scattershot

as in haphazard

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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 scattershot And while towns in Clay, Platte and Johnson Counties have seen steady — if limited — growth, the bureau found, population figures in eastern Jackson County have been somewhat more scattershot. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026 Some hospitals have started to run their own numbers, but the effort is scattershot. — Duaa Eldeib, CNN Money, 8 May 2026 Some Republicans are also frustrated with the administration’s scattershot messaging, particularly around last year’s signature tax law, according to a GOP operative who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. — Bloomberg, Oc Register, 7 May 2026 There’s something of a profit panic as the company tries to figure out how to make money from its scattershot AI enterprises, while Claude Code and Cowork from Anthropic emerged as the winners for enterprise AI spending. — Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scattershot

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattershot

Adjective

However, industry leaders caution against haphazard AI adoption, emphasizing that strategic, disciplined implementation is crucial to avoid significant financial pitfalls.

— Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Communication with employees about the requirement to move to new offices has been haphazard, workers at six agencies said.

— Chiara Eisner, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of haphazard

Adjective

This horror movie mostly just smelled of fake fog from a community theater production and occasionally you were startled by random bursts of air, once again pulling you from the events on screen.

— Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
One episode explores several years in the life of a random Jason variant who simply tries to build a life for himself in a quiet world.

— Andrew Webster, The Verge, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of random

Adjective

That included nearly $12,000 for Marshall’s airfare and transportation, more than $6,000 for the senator’s per diem and $689 in incidental expenses.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026
Only 20% to 25% of eligible patients are currently getting screened annually, Nathan says, and the incidental population—nodules found through routine ER imaging—is growing at 10% a year on top of that.

— Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of incidental

Adjective

Summary Disney's renowned guest experiences are intentionally crafted, not accidental, as exemplified by Cheryl Christensen's 37-year career.

— Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
The Buffalo Bills are giving defensive tackle Ed Oliver support and space following the accidental death of his 2-year-old son.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of accidental

Adjective

Instead, with an inadvertent point of his right index finger, Espada accidentally removed him from the game.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
OpenAI’s inadvertent hack of Hugging Face saw its model fire off as many as 300 actions an hour, and a single agent can spawn sub-agents that make tool calls of their own.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of inadvertent

Adjective

Despite the drumbeat of warnings and sporadic enforcement, there is widespread defiance of official regulations, especially among young Iranian women.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
But Iran continues to mount sporadic attacks against shipping and assert its claim over the strait.

— Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of sporadic

Adjective

In this sort of time regime, pointless, aimless time becomes a rarity, even a luxury—and an object of nostalgia.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
In any case, the burgeoning Cruz-Josie relationship should make for a welcome change-up in relationship drama from the endless and, at this point, aimless Joe-Neal domestic saga.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of aimless

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scatters

scattershot

scatting

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“Scattershot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattershot. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of scattershot

adjective

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