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
Mike Augustyniak, CBS News, 3 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
Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
Pictures show the metal tube, which was part of the chute, cut open while trash is scattered across the room.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 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
Because the 2030 edition was scattered across Europe, Africa, and South America (with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay receiving one token game each), 2034 was open to bids from only Asia and Oceania.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 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
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
Adjective
There will be some scattered rain in cabin country up north Wednesday, but everyone else will see plenty of sun with heat but low humidity.
—Mike Augustyniak, CBS News, 3 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
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
Pictures show the metal tube, which was part of the chute, cut open while trash is scattered across the room.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 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
Because the 2030 edition was scattered across Europe, Africa, and South America (with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay receiving one token game each), 2034 was open to bids from only Asia and Oceania.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 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
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
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
-
That optimism dissipated quickly.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
The high concentrations dissipated after about eight months and no longer present a threat.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 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
-
Medical teams treated more than 40 people with gunshot wounds in less than 12 hours, while a security guard was struck by a stray bullet inside the hospital’s compound, the charity reported.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
The book requires slow, careful reading; there’s not a stray word in it.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattered. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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