as in dispersion
an act or process in which something scatters or is scattered
the dispersal of plant seeds in the forests through natural means
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Recent Examples of dispersal
The order also notes that protesters ignoring dispersal orders or trespassing on federal property is not appropriate justification for agents to deploy riot control weapons.
—
Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
The Los Angeles Police Department issued a dispersal order for the area of Alameda Street between Union Station and 1st Street.
—Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Police may shut down a protest through a dispersal order, according to the ACLU, but it must be used as a last resort in situations where there is a clear and present danger of riot, disorder or interference with traffic, as well as any other immediate threats to public safety.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Jan. 2026
In the same period, military programs tested dispersal of bacteria and chemical compounds over American cities and neighborhoods to evaluate vulnerabilities to biological or chemical warfare.
—Akilah Weber Pierson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispersal
Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
The Los Angeles Police Department issued a dispersal order for the area of Alameda Street between Union Station and 1st Street.
—Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Police may shut down a protest through a dispersal order, according to the ACLU, but it must be used as a last resort in situations where there is a clear and present danger of riot, disorder or interference with traffic, as well as any other immediate threats to public safety.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Jan. 2026
In the same period, military programs tested dispersal of bacteria and chemical compounds over American cities and neighborhoods to evaluate vulnerabilities to biological or chemical warfare.
—Akilah Weber Pierson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dispersal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispersal
Noun
-
To minimize chromatic aberration, the smart telescope is outfitted with a four-element apochromatic lens with extra-low-dispersion (ED) glass.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This kind of dispersion from advanced markets like Japan to emerging economies like South Africa illustrates why a global lens matters.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Robotic probes proved increasingly versatile and successful, eventually visiting every planet in the solar system as well as a scattering of moons, comets, and asteroids.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2026
-
To study vibrations indirectly, scientists use spectroscopic techniques like Raman scattering.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispersal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispersal. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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