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
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
The threat for heavy rain in South Florida is diminishing, however typical scattered thunderstorms with locally heavy downpours are still possible in the area through the weekend.
—Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025
The result was a mile-long line that turned scattered craftwork into synchronized production.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
More likely, a supernova occurs inside a galaxy loaded with numerous, scattered clouds of gas and dust.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2025
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
The rest of his family is scattered all over.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Misiorowski walked two and scattered a single while striking out four.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Fox 35 reported that the tampons were painted red and scattered across the lawn.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
In the next scene, dozens of tennis balls are scattered across the floor.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
There are several common areas scattered throughout, from a library that opens up to a sprawling outdoor deck to a cozy lounge that encourages visitors with a coffee and tea station for endless refills of your warm beverage of choice.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
If these objects were closer to perfect spheres, their mass distributed more evenly, their colors scattered less stochastically, then their similarity might not surprise us.
—Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Enormous driftwood trees are scattered along the shore, producing a scene that’s often compared to an elephant boneyard.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
By comparison, campaign two felt more scattered and improvisational (befitting a D&D game).
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
The threat for heavy rain in South Florida is diminishing, however typical scattered thunderstorms with locally heavy downpours are still possible in the area through the weekend.
—Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025
The result was a mile-long line that turned scattered craftwork into synchronized production.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
More likely, a supernova occurs inside a galaxy loaded with numerous, scattered clouds of gas and dust.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
Dust Regularly Dust furniture one or two times a week with a damp microfiber cloth that traps dust and prevents it from being scattered in the air.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
The rest of his family is scattered all over.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Misiorowski walked two and scattered a single while striking out four.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Fox 35 reported that the tampons were painted red and scattered across the lawn.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
In the next scene, dozens of tennis balls are scattered across the floor.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
There are several common areas scattered throughout, from a library that opens up to a sprawling outdoor deck to a cozy lounge that encourages visitors with a coffee and tea station for endless refills of your warm beverage of choice.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
If these objects were closer to perfect spheres, their mass distributed more evenly, their colors scattered less stochastically, then their similarity might not surprise us.
—Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Enormous driftwood trees are scattered along the shore, producing a scene that’s often compared to an elephant boneyard.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattered
Adjective
-
Sprinkle in Minerals Don't just toss in minerals at random, says Damrosch—only use when recommended by your soil test to correct deficiencies that have been identified.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2025
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Besides the occasional random spider that scuttles indoors, some spiders can live in out-of-the-way spots in your home, such as along ceilings or in basements and behind clutter.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Five bedrooms are dispersed across the upper level, including the sprawling primary suite.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
5 Oct. 2025
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With the dollars dispersed, Brewer isn’t sure where funding like that could come from again.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The visiting clubhouse attendants lit the same White Barn candles — mahogany teakwood intense — that brought the room back to life last month after the Phillies sprayed champagne and beer to celebrate a division title.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
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When Sanchez advanced after being sprayed, Tole pulled a knife to defend himself, authorities said.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Priscilla dissipated Friday to the west of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Chargers The fun that rookie QB Jaxson Dart brought in an upset win in Week 4 quickly dissipated with his three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble) on Sunday, and the running game was stuck in the mud.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Cuba’s leaders have pursued a slow, narrow and sometimes arbitrary path toward economic privatization – especially when contrasted with other officially communist countries in Asia.—
Joseph J. Gonzalez,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The unions have asked the court to declare that both OMB and OPM have exceeded their statutory authority and acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner, and to invalidate any actions that may come from the memos and guidance issued.—
Franco Ordoñez,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The trail begins across 89A from Manzanita Campground and scrambles through woods sprinkled with oak, walnut, hackberry, and later on, bigtooth maple.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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Sturgeon from the Delaware River were likely fastened to a spit and basted with butter, then sprinkled with flour, nutmeg, mace, salt, sweet herbs, and breadcrumbs before being dressed in a tangy sauce that usually included anchovy, lobster, lemon, horseradish, and white wine.—
Victoria Flexner,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Two employees from a Lowe’s in Richmond made the 90-minute drive early Monday to pick up Francine, who disappeared in September and recently was discovered at the company’s distribution center in Garysburg, North Carolina.—
John Raby,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
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And, of course, while large-scale wars are gone, violence in other forms—criminal, state-sponsored, and political—has not disappeared.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The singer had suffered severe head and spinal injuries in the accident near Baddi town when his motorcycle crashed into stray cattle in the road.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
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Hollywood lurched into a fresh wave of existential panic this week after Deadline, notating an otherwise dry industry panel on Saturday, September 27, seized on a stray remark.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattered. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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