as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
a hodgepodge of scattered ideas that didn't add up to a clear hypothesis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in dispersed
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
as in sprayed
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on
the hillside was scattered with boulders deposited by the last ice age
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in dissipated
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 scattered
Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
March 21 – April 19 One direct message could turn scattered effort into actual teamwork.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
Prediction markets can turn scattered information about elections, inflation, corporate earnings and geopolitical risks into useful forecasts.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Midwest The Midwest will see some scattered rain on Friday.
—Kyle David, ABC News, 20 May 2026
The conjecture says that even within enormous, scattered and chaotic assemblages of points existing across innumerable dimensions, simple, orderly shapes will inevitably crop up.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
So how do teams turn scattered tactics into a coherent system?
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
In that case, most areas will see scattered rain, but the more robust cells could produce brief, heavy downpours.
—Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 8 May 2026
There are a few, scattered references to female gladiators.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Upon arrival, daytrippers are greeted with a sign highlighting 20 notable sights scattered throughout the island.
—Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Various objects had been tossed from the two-level porch and lay scattered across the grass.
—Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Gore scattered two more hits en route to his fourth win of the year — and second dominating performance against the Royals.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026
Beyond the culinary performances, literacy-centric activities will be scattered throughout the fairgrounds.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
According to Vogue, the bride wore a custom Oscar de la Renta gown adorned with tiny Japanese cherry blossoms scattered throughout the dress and neckline.
—Danielle Minnetian , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
Between exorbitant production costs and the continual erosion of linear television audiences, traditional late-night talk shows have been under mounting pressure for years, increasingly consumed via short-form clips scattered across social media rather than live and in full.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 May 2026
The vehicles scattered as police approached, Higginson said, at which point officers located the male victim lying face down on the ground.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 24 May 2026
Adjective
Share a draft, then ask a focused question so collaborators offer helpful edits rather than scattered opinions.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
March 21 – April 19 One direct message could turn scattered effort into actual teamwork.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
Prediction markets can turn scattered information about elections, inflation, corporate earnings and geopolitical risks into useful forecasts.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Midwest The Midwest will see some scattered rain on Friday.
—Kyle David, ABC News, 20 May 2026
The conjecture says that even within enormous, scattered and chaotic assemblages of points existing across innumerable dimensions, simple, orderly shapes will inevitably crop up.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
So how do teams turn scattered tactics into a coherent system?
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
In that case, most areas will see scattered rain, but the more robust cells could produce brief, heavy downpours.
—Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 8 May 2026
There are a few, scattered references to female gladiators.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
From room to room walls are covered in blue block prints or hot-pink illustrations of pear trees, while floors are scattered with artisanal rugs and a collection of curios—a rooster statue, a floral dress form—is hidden all over.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Upon arrival, daytrippers are greeted with a sign highlighting 20 notable sights scattered throughout the island.
—Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Various objects had been tossed from the two-level porch and lay scattered across the grass.
—Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Gore scattered two more hits en route to his fourth win of the year — and second dominating performance against the Royals.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026
Beyond the culinary performances, literacy-centric activities will be scattered throughout the fairgrounds.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
According to Vogue, the bride wore a custom Oscar de la Renta gown adorned with tiny Japanese cherry blossoms scattered throughout the dress and neckline.
—Danielle Minnetian , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
Between exorbitant production costs and the continual erosion of linear television audiences, traditional late-night talk shows have been under mounting pressure for years, increasingly consumed via short-form clips scattered across social media rather than live and in full.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 May 2026
The vehicles scattered as police approached, Higginson said, at which point officers located the male victim lying face down on the ground.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 24 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattered
Adjective
-
But, a series of random attacks that left two women dead and a man injured in Atlanta over the past few weeks have some locals on edge, and others wondering if the city is truly prepared to handle the safety of thousands of extra people.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
The vast majority of e-chucks are made of ceramic — hence Toto’s seemingly random decision to add them to its portfolio.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Attackers also burned down one of the patient-isolation tents hastily erected on the hospital grounds, before soldiers dispersed them by firing warning shots.—
Emmet Livingstone,
NPR,
28 May 2026
-
The officers, aided by officers from South Chicago Heights and other neighboring jurisdictions, Cook County and Will County sheriff’s deputies and K-9 units, dispersed the teens, who were blocking the 3300 block of Chicago Road and moving into a parking lot on the street’s east side, police said.—
Dennis Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The Haitian players danced on the field after the game and sprayed each other with water bottles.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
-
Suddenly, with room to breathe, Potapova sprinted through the tiebreak, winning 7 of 8 points, as Gauff sprayed errors every which way.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Eventually, the confrontation dissipated without any direct intervention by police.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
That lead quickly dissipated when Miami’s implosion in the bottom half of the first inning — on a combination of timely Florida hits, erraticness from Ciscar and shoddy Hurricanes defense — allowed the Gators to score six runs.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Given that, the court concluded that forcing UCAR to give up its supercomputing center was arbitrary and capricious, and thus violated the Administrative Procedures Act.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2026
-
More people know about arbitrary arrests and imprisonments.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
They can also be folded into batters for cookies, baked oatmeal, or quick breads like banana bread—or, for a pretty garnish, sprinkled on top just before baking.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
31 May 2026
-
And this time there were a few defensive mistakes sprinkled in, as well.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Eight people, some of whom were related, disappeared on Sunday while traveling from Daule to Milagro, about 30 miles south of Babahoyo.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
Protagonist Jo’s mother disappeared when Jo was a teen, tainting her daughter with the stain of possible witchcraft.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Over the last year and a half, McConnell has softened the blow with stray compliments to Trump.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2026
-
It was made that much worse when several cast members laughed at her insincerity and Maddi Reese interrupted it several times because there was a stray cat nearby that terrified her.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattered. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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