1
as in dispersion
an act or process in which something scatters or is scattered
the scattering of the protesters suddenly turned violent and chaotic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in handful
a small number
a scattering of people in the mostly empty theater
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in dispersing
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 spraying
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 dissipating
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 scattering
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Among the regulars at these family dinners were my grandmother’s three brothers, their wives, and a scattering of their children and grandchildren.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
Amy Waldman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Crowds of people are seen scattering across the street, diving behind parked cars, and pressing against walls as the gunman moved through the intersection with an AR-15 rifle, firing indiscriminately.
—Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scattering
Noun
This phenomenon happens because blue light undergoes stronger atmospheric scattering than red light, and as a result, red is the most dominant color as sunlight passes through our atmosphere and reaches the moon.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Among the regulars at these family dinners were my grandmother’s three brothers, their wives, and a scattering of their children and grandchildren.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
Into his nineties, Robinson was scattering bulbs from his wheelchair.
—Amy Waldman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Crowds of people are seen scattering across the street, diving behind parked cars, and pressing against walls as the gunman moved through the intersection with an AR-15 rifle, firing indiscriminately.
—Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattering
Noun
-
For example, scientists working in SETI, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, already factor in the consequences of electron dispersion in the interstellar medium between stars.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
8 Mar. 2026
-
With 503 individual stocks driving movement, internal dispersion has been significant.—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What would the men who spent the night not five miles from here, a hundred and eleven years ago, have given for a handful of these berries?—
Cree LeFavour,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Lang and a handful of associates then carried the roasted pig, wrapped in tin foil, down York Ave.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of dispersing, the crowd pelted officers with snowballs, ice and, according to police union reports, rocks.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Meat becomes tender through gentle steaming, vegetables soften while holding their shape, and spices integrate directly into the ingredients rather than dispersing into a broth.—
Bridget Shirvell,
Martha Stewart,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There will be an Italian gelato machine whipping up fresh ice cream, a station spraying 24-karat gold onto miniature chocolate Oscars, and a live izakaya doling out traditional Japanese bites, as reported by Reuters.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Chopper 3 was over the scene where three boats were spraying water on the barge.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lithium-ion batteries are highly efficient, dissipating less than 10% of their energy as heat during operation.—
Etiido Uko
March 04,
New Atlas,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Long was diagnosed with a left elbow sprain but already has experienced dissipating soreness.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
On the same day, McCrory resigned his seat on the board of the Community Investment Fund, a legislative panel with final approval over the annual dispersal of up to $175 million in competitive grants available to 55 eligible communities.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The sheriff’s office said deputies issued dispersal orders at an unlawful assembly.—
Talia McWright,
Twin Cities,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For example, individual filers can receive up to $994, couples filing jointly can receive $1,491, and those providing essential care to SSI recipients can receive up to $498.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
-
There are also high-street shops like Zara and Mango on your doorstep, as well as independent local stalwarts like Can Vinyes, one of the oldest handmade basket shops on the island, owned by a tiny old couple.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The recipe also suggests sprinkling some fresh thyme leaves on top of your Bacon Jam before serving for a hint of herby freshness—and to look pretty—but that’s optional.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Position the seeds about 2 to 3 inches apart, or speed up planting by blending the carrot seeds with fine sand or potting mix and sprinkling the mixture lightly and evenly along a planting row.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattering. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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