scattering 1 of 2

noun

ˈska-tə-riŋ How to pronounce scattering (audio)
Definition of scatteringnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scattering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of scatter
1
as in dispersing
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart the noise of the backfiring car scattered the pigeons

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scattering
Noun
On the east side of the highway stood a scattering of temporary shelters in primary colors. — Julie Orringer, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026 But a scattering of anglers is convinced that flavoring bait with tobacco is a sure-enough killer. — Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
Verb
Create decision blocks rather than scattering decisions across the day. — Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Sox starter Davis Martin was also very effective, scattering four hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for scattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattering
  1. dispersion
  2. handful
  3. dispersing
  4. spraying
  5. dissipating
  6. dispersal
  7. couple
  8. sprinkling
Noun
  • Adidas Virginia Watermoc is a slip-on shoe with all the appearances of grip and water dispersion.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 29 June 2026
  • When this happens, the oven continues to generate microwaves that rapidly change frequency as the power dies off over a fraction of a second, mimicking dispersion.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 26 June 2026
Definition of dispersion
Noun
  • After the contest, the singer continued her artistic pursuit, performing with a handful of bands including Bobby Wayne & the Dixies and, later, Imagination.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Beauty tourism was once largely associated with lower-cost dental work and a handful of cosmetic surgeries performed abroad.
    — Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of handful
Verb
  • But as Southern California’s focus shifts to the sweltering heat expected for the day and the rest of the week, an expert noted that soot and particulate matter may not be dispersing normally.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • After waiting hours in the sweltering heat before the wedding to see the A-list guests arrive, faithful Swifties are finally dispersing after news the couple officially tied the knot.
    — Gordon Ebanks, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of dispersing
Verb
  • Their arrests on June 24, 2023, at a Lancaster WinCo Foods store ultimately led to the indictment of county Sheriff’s Deputy Trevor Kirk, who was later convicted of a felony for assaulting and pepper-spraying Houseton.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 7 July 2026
  • Water jets are spraying mist to cool down the mourners, who are mostly wearing black, with temperatures set to reach 37 degrees Celsius (98 degrees Fahrenheit) in Tehran today, according to the UK Met Office.
    — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Definition of spraying
Verb
  • In front of a predominantly Brazilian crowd and with the haze of a pre-match pyrotechnic display still dissipating, Norway seemed to leap out to a lead in the first few minutes with a goal by Patrick Berg, but it was quickly ruled offside.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Cristina dumped rain across Central America late last week before dissipating.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 15 June 2026
Definition of dissipating
Noun
  • About half of the arrests were people who remained on the Peninsula after police issued a dispersal order, authorities said.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The Israeli military told NPR that during an operation in Nablus, Palestinians had thrown rocks at the soldiers who responded with what the military called crowd-dispersal measures and later with live fire.
    — Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 26 June 2026
Definition of dispersal
Noun
  • An inside source revealed on Sunday that the couple's vows brought Kelce to tears.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 6 July 2026
  • The couple, in their 50s, also have two children entering college next year.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of couple
Verb
  • Then, to complete the deep clean, Lane suggests, sprinkling baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and running a second hot cycle with no detergent.
    — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 6 July 2026
  • Teammates see someone more settled in his new surroundings, even sprinkling in some English comebacks to their jokes.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of sprinkling

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Cite this Entry

“Scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattering. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on scattering

Nglish: Translation of scattering for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scattering

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