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
Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 9 June 2026
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
There are a few, scattered references to female gladiators.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
One of the areas hit includes Bridgeview, where pieces of roofing remained scattered around an apartment building on 79th Street after powerful winds ripped through the area.
—Darius Johnson, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Sensors and controllers are scattered all over the house, with a dashboard in a browser acting as mission control.
—New Atlas, 14 June 2026
The force of the impact scattered aircraft parts and other debris hundreds of meters, local news outlet Metropolis noted.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
Fire pits and hammocks scattered across the property highlight the Inn’s wide-open space, and there are also bikes available for rent.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
Of course, there were scattered other people who came from more rural places, but those communities all went to camp together.
—Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
Then there will be 10 other free fan fests scattered throughout the region, from Burbank to Venice Beach, on varied dates throughout the tournament.
—Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Instead, it was scattered among the booths of the usual PC DIY suspects, helping builders dream up ever more creative ways to customize, cool, power, and show off their desktop rigs.
—John Burek, PC Magazine, 7 June 2026
Adjective
Friday, a weakening ridge and an approaching front will allow scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop.
—Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 9 June 2026
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
There are a few, scattered references to female gladiators.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
Ryne Nelson scattered nine hits over seven efficient innings, while closer Paul Sewald survived Donovan Walton’s two-out homer in the ninth to lock down his 18th save in 19 chances.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
One of the areas hit includes Bridgeview, where pieces of roofing remained scattered around an apartment building on 79th Street after powerful winds ripped through the area.
—Darius Johnson, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Sensors and controllers are scattered all over the house, with a dashboard in a browser acting as mission control.
—New Atlas, 14 June 2026
The force of the impact scattered aircraft parts and other debris hundreds of meters, local news outlet Metropolis noted.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
Fire pits and hammocks scattered across the property highlight the Inn’s wide-open space, and there are also bikes available for rent.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
Of course, there were scattered other people who came from more rural places, but those communities all went to camp together.
—Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
Then there will be 10 other free fan fests scattered throughout the region, from Burbank to Venice Beach, on varied dates throughout the tournament.
—Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Instead, it was scattered among the booths of the usual PC DIY suspects, helping builders dream up ever more creative ways to customize, cool, power, and show off their desktop rigs.
—John Burek, PC Magazine, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattered
Adjective
-
There’s a growing movement to bring back small rituals, like lighting candles, using cloth napkins, pulling out the good china on a random weeknight, and saying a toast before the first bite.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
-
Candles, cloth napkins, the good china on a random Wednesday, a quick toast before the first bite.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
While they are geographically dispersed, a significant share is concentrated in states with strong winds.—
Jennifer McDermott,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
The demonstration, organized by the opposition coalition C64, was dispersed by police with tear gas after protesters clashed with pro-government supporters outside Parliament.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
While chrome is stronger than the clear coat sprayed onto aluminum wheels, the natural grit of polish can still harm your finish.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
-
Five cranes were brought in for lighting and equipment, and the fire department sprayed down the street to give it a mystical glow.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
After that twister dissipated, a third rose in Volusia County, damaging hundreds of homes before moving off the coast.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
That statement stood in stark contrast to the longstanding stodginess of the Kings, which dissipated into flat-out ineffectiveness under Jim Hiller for three quarters of last season until he was sacked.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
The anniversary feels arbitrary to Tran, a math teacher.—
Terry Tang,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
And not simply the tariff policies, but the arbitrary on and off nature of them.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
The town is home to 35 different accommodations sprinkled along oceanfront El Mar Drive and its surrounding streets.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
17 June 2026
-
Dolshun recommends diatomaceous earth, a natural alternative to harsher insecticides that comes as a powdery substance that can be easily sprinkled in problem areas.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The discovery came following a six-day search for Elena Katherine Moore, 39, a personal trainer who officials said disappeared Thursday evening after leaving a Planet Fitness gym in Lexington.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
-
Yet as the flames consumed the duplex at 14th Street and Jones on a sunny Sunday afternoon earlier this month, and seemingly half the island showed up to console and help the residents, Walker disappeared.—
Adam Van Brimmer,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
The number of stray dog reports has declined in recent years.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
Both are overpopulated with feral and stray animals due to this lack of population management.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattered. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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