scattered 1 of 2

scattered

2 of 2

verb

past tense of scatter
1
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

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 scattered
Verb
First, there are the January theater festivals, your place to dig into experimental work scattered across smaller venues throughout the city. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025 The Winter Wonderland overlay sees Ski Dubai scattered with igloos and snowmen made from actual snow whilst icy walls are wrapped in fairy lights and the chalets are bristling with baubles and tinsel. Caroline Reid, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 These canvas structures—designed to mimic the boulders scattered across the landscape—are luxuriously outfitted with modern comforts like speedy WiFi and Nespresso machines and feature private plunge pools, where elephants frequently stop by for a drink. Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025 Thousands of archaeological sites are scattered across the area, but they have not always been properly cared for. Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025 Garbage has also been scattered across several properties. Landon Mion, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025 The reality is similarly scattered — official snowfall totals vary from place to place around the metro. Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025 The Best of the West offers fans a candid assessment of the top teams in the western third of the country — a collection that includes the Mountain West and the former Pac-12 schools now scattered across the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and West Coast Conference. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025 Access to a car helps to explore neighboring villages and stop at smaller Champagne houses scattered throughout the countryside. Kasia Dietz, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattered
Adjective
  • The prime time talent show is once again ruining our viewing of acts by constantly cutting in reaction shots of the audience, hosts and random people.
    Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 June 2025
  • There is also the potential random hijacking of energy cargoes in the Strait, which has precedent.
    Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • This person needs to be able to coordinate with everyone from local business owners to concerned citizens to state officials who make decisions about how funding is dispersed.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
  • In our grandparents’ day, families weren’t dispersed across the country, and family members often took care of their frail relatives.
    Steve Vernon, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This anecdote is a perfect snapshot of Jameela’s lifelong refusal to accept arbitrary rules.
    Mandeep Rai, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Choosing a side for the wall would have been arbitrary.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • She’s disappeared into history.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • And yet, this unexpectedly addicting appetizer disappeared quickly from the buffet table, and everyone was bestowing compliments on me.
    Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Alcaraz duly escaped the adversity, but not without a time violation and a funny moment of tension when someone in the crowd returned a stray ball between the Spaniard’s first and second serves.
    James Hansen, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • Police said 11-year-old Willow James was struck in the head by a stray bullet May 28 while riding home from school in a vehicle with her father and cousin in the 15800 block of Paulina Avenue.
    Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • That was apparent even in the first period, as the Canucks — a team that’s struggled enormously all season to generate looks and scoring chances — peppered their old teammate DeSmith with all manner of quality chances.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Sarah’s demise happens early on in the film, but her presence is still peppered throughout via flashbacks, momentary flashes mid-scene and photographic reminders.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Stir well until fully dissolved, then finish by adding a lemon-lime beverage of your choice.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Phil Mickelson admitted Friday that the tensions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have not completely dissolved, despite ongoing negotiations between the two circuits.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattered. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on scattered

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!