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
Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Earlier sunshine way to clouds and scattered rain as the first, in a series, of passing systems brings brief wet weather to Maryland.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
In June, First Baptist Dallas will break ground on a new sanctuary to replace the historic walls scattered to ashes by flames in July 2024.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Pictures from the scene showed several Easter eggs scattered on the ground as two of the victims were seen covered in white sheets.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
To achieve this, the researchers used coherent scattering where nanoparticles were trapped in light intensity of 100 MW/cm2 and scattered it into an optical resonator.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
What Archaeologists Found on the Dannebroge Wreck Divers work in near-darkness amid silt and scattered cannonballs, progressing meter by meter to document and recover objects.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Quinn struck out 11, walked five and scattered four hits for her third win of the season.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
More than a dozen robots and creatures are scattered on a pink carpet.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
Most scattered freely, while Schmeby attempted to do the same, eventually getting stuck hanging over a wooden board blocking the sidewalk.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Another concern is the protection of Route 90, the only highway connecting the small and scattered communities of the north, on which the 27-year-old woman was killed last week.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Earlier sunshine way to clouds and scattered rain as the first, in a series, of passing systems brings brief wet weather to Maryland.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
While the canal itself was commissioned in 1802 by Napoleon I to bring fresh water into the city, the vibe is distinctly contemporary with some of Paris's hottest restaurants, cafés and bars scattered alongside it.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
In June, First Baptist Dallas will break ground on a new sanctuary to replace the historic walls scattered to ashes by flames in July 2024.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Pictures from the scene showed several Easter eggs scattered on the ground as two of the victims were seen covered in white sheets.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
To achieve this, the researchers used coherent scattering where nanoparticles were trapped in light intensity of 100 MW/cm2 and scattered it into an optical resonator.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
What Archaeologists Found on the Dannebroge Wreck Divers work in near-darkness amid silt and scattered cannonballs, progressing meter by meter to document and recover objects.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Quinn struck out 11, walked five and scattered four hits for her third win of the season.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
More than a dozen robots and creatures are scattered on a pink carpet.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
Most scattered freely, while Schmeby attempted to do the same, eventually getting stuck hanging over a wooden board blocking the sidewalk.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattered
Adjective
-
Recent poll results shared at a Tuesday night hearing showed 55% of those in a random sample were favorable to a mill levy override.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
No doubt, this isn’t some random list, these three players remaining on the roster when so many others were dumped overboard.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike oil, which flows through pipelines and centralized infrastructure, gold production in southern Venezuela is dispersed across hundreds of small sites accessible only by river, dirt tracks or airstrips.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Additional works from the collection will be dispersed across a day sale and an online auction, all sourced from Goodman’s family and excluding artists currently represented by the gallery.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The snake rattled angrily, thrashed wildly, and sprayed considerable rattlesnake musk or scent.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In punt return drills involving receiver Mikey Matthews, UCLA players rushed him, screamed at him and sprayed him with water in an attempt to prevent him from catching the ball.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The pandemic dissipated, but the screens stayed.—
Abby McCloskey,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The best solution is radiators, which move liquids out to giant panels where the heat can be dissipated.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Bulls don’t want Buzelis to get caught up in hitting an arbitrary number on the scale.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The advisory does not specify uniform procedures at the border but warns travelers that electronic data may be accessed and that enforcement can be arbitrary.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The look can be as minimalist as gems sprinkled on the tips of neutral nails or as bold as clusters of various stone sizes in intricate formations.—
Jesa Marie Calaor,
Allure,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The grounds are sprinkled with lush gardens, orchards, lakes, and water features.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Violence is used to enforce discipline, and those accused of theft or rule violations may be executed or disappeared.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In 2022, six weeks after a new police commissioner formed the Gilgo Beach task force, detectives identified Heuermann as a suspect by using a vehicle registration database to connect him to a pickup truck that a witness reported seeing when one of the victims disappeared in 2010.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some stray bullets also hit a neighboring apartment building, although no injuries were reported.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The stray bullet also grazed her older brother’s back.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattered. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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