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
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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
Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026
The scattered protests erupted Saturday at universities following 40-day memorials for people killed in January during anti-government rallies.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
The scattered protests erupted Saturday at universities following 40-day memorials for people killed in January during antigovernment rallies.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Instead of building individual homes on scattered sites, Reclaiming Chicago aims to transform whole neighborhoods at once, sometimes taking over large vacant lots and planting groups of more than 100 affordable homes.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
More scattered sleet, snow and ice are expected for the afternoon, before widespread precipitation is predicted to return Saturday night.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
Radiohead’s European run — hitting Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin — was a triumph, aside from some scattered grumbling about the in-the-round stage setup and descending screens that sometimes obscured the band early on.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026
Expect scattered rain during this time.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Its fractured, scattered form, grasping for structure instead of pretending to master it, is an attempt to build a future that will include both author and reader.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 1 Jan. 2026
Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
At universities, the study of ancient Chinese texts has historically been scattered across disciplines; now, under government direction, universities are trying to gather that scholarship in new classics departments where, one theory goes, ancient truths can be nurtured and passed down.
—Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
Cilantro and opal basil leaves are fresh and floral, scattered over the finished tostada.
—Restaurant Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
UConn was competing in the American Athletic Conference, which included the FBS football-playing remnants of the Big East and scattered additions from other conferences.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026
As hospital staff scattered, the footage shows the gunman abandoning the wheelchair and hopping away, according to the complaint.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Glass and debris were scattered across the sidewalk along the road where the fire burned through the buildings.
—Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
The resort is comprised of a series of compact dwellings that are scattered across the landscape.
—New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2026
Loads of the characters had been scattered across the global chessboard.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
And in legislative committees and in debate on Wednesday, sponsors of the new requirement didn’t cite evidence of more than scattered cases in which non-citizens may have voted.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026
The scattered protests erupted Saturday at universities following 40-day memorials for people killed in January during anti-government rallies.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
The scattered protests erupted Saturday at universities following 40-day memorials for people killed in January during antigovernment rallies.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Instead of building individual homes on scattered sites, Reclaiming Chicago aims to transform whole neighborhoods at once, sometimes taking over large vacant lots and planting groups of more than 100 affordable homes.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
More scattered sleet, snow and ice are expected for the afternoon, before widespread precipitation is predicted to return Saturday night.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
Radiohead’s European run — hitting Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin — was a triumph, aside from some scattered grumbling about the in-the-round stage setup and descending screens that sometimes obscured the band early on.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026
Expect scattered rain during this time.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Its fractured, scattered form, grasping for structure instead of pretending to master it, is an attempt to build a future that will include both author and reader.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 1 Jan. 2026
Verb
The storms will be scattered, according to Doom, mostly near a warm front that is expected to cover the southern portion of the area.
—Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
At universities, the study of ancient Chinese texts has historically been scattered across disciplines; now, under government direction, universities are trying to gather that scholarship in new classics departments where, one theory goes, ancient truths can be nurtured and passed down.
—Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
Cilantro and opal basil leaves are fresh and floral, scattered over the finished tostada.
—Restaurant Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
UConn was competing in the American Athletic Conference, which included the FBS football-playing remnants of the Big East and scattered additions from other conferences.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026
As hospital staff scattered, the footage shows the gunman abandoning the wheelchair and hopping away, according to the complaint.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Glass and debris were scattered across the sidewalk along the road where the fire burned through the buildings.
—Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
The resort is comprised of a series of compact dwellings that are scattered across the landscape.
—New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2026
Loads of the characters had been scattered across the global chessboard.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattered
Adjective
-
These aren’t random clearance leftovers—they’re practical, stylish finds that’ll carry you straight into spring trips and beyond.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
-
No more random goons without background checks, and fire all who never should have been hired.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The crowd dispersed around noon, grabbing catered tamales on their way out.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Hosted by the Ramona Chamber of Commerce, the studios dispersed throughout Ramona will be open to visitors the weekend of April 11-12.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Forrest pushed it and winced as tear gas sprayed.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Glyphosate is sprayed on hundreds of millions of acres of farmland each year.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These surges occur because the kinetic energy of the moving mass of oil must be instantly dissipated, resulting in extreme pressure spikes that can exceed the structural design limits of the steel.—
Siddharth Misra,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
But then Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and any illusion of free trade in energy dissipated overnight.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In his ruling, Estudillo said the group failed to show that they were denied passes because of their political affiliations — which would be a violation of their First Amendment rights — and failed to show that the process was arbitrary, which would have violated their due process rights.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Teaching of the Kurdish language is restricted, Kurdish names are banned from official registration, and Kurdish activists face arbitrary detention.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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From March to May, the hiking trails are sprinkled with vibrant yellow desert marigolds, deep purple lupines, and bright red and orange Indian paintbrush blooms, among other varieties.—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
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Smoked Arctic char from neighboring Labrador came next, layered on thick slices of brown bread and sprinkled with citrusy larch shoots.—
Gina DeCaprio Vercesi,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mumma, 44, is charged with tampering with a deceased human body and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Gratton, a 34-year-old transgender woman from Denver who disappeared in April and was found dead in a Lakewood alley in June.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
12 Mar. 2026
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But others in Paine — where 70 people were forcibly disappeared under the Pinochet dictatorship, more than in any other municipality in Chile — are less optimistic about the rise to power of a supporter of the regime.—
John Bartlett,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The owner of the dog, Kyle Sharp, was hit by a stray bullet during the response.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The piece wouldn't be officially released online for some time, but a stray audience member or two recorded a bootleg of the screen inside the theater and posted it to social media.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattered. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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