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
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
Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak, Harvard Business Review, 14 Mar. 2025
That scattering process polarizes the light, and the degree of polarization tells us where the object was in three dimensions.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 5 Feb. 2025
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2024
Cluster artillery popped open, scattering scores of lethal submunitions.
—David Axe, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for scattering
Noun
To manage through an era of... Post Sinking consumer sentiment, wobbly financial markets, and a scattering of disappointing macroeconomic data are stoking fears of a U.S. recession.
—Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak, Harvard Business Review, 14 Mar. 2025
That scattering process polarizes the light, and the degree of polarization tells us where the object was in three dimensions.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
When preparing your impressive dessert spread this holiday season, consider scattering in a few of these limited-time cookies to add a touch of color to your platter.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2024
Cluster artillery popped open, scattering scores of lethal submunitions.
—David Axe, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for scattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattering
Noun
-
Communities can stay informed about ash risks through official alerts, including those from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers, which monitor ash dispersion and issue timely warnings.—
David Kitchen,
The Conversation,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Given the significant dispersion in returns—highlighted by a 17.2% top/bottom gap in November—advisor due diligence is paramount.—
Steven Brod,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
These international hubs did not exist before the 1990s, when most manufacturing was concentrated in a handful of countries.—
JAVIER CORRALES,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The Athletic travelled the country for a taste of the tension and the drama in a handful of the games that mattered over the weekend.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
There are already laws in Florida governing weather modification, which can include cloud seeding—the enhancement of precipitation by dispersing substances into clouds that encourage the formation of rain or snow.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
-
These pollutants can come from a variety of sources, including vehicle emissions, industrial activity, wildfires, and weather patterns that prevent pollution from dispersing.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Each prescribed fire operation follows a prescribed fire burn plan, which considers temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for the dispersal of smoke.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Fraud prevention systems should be upgraded to require real-time ID checks (capable of stopping $60 billion in UI fraud outright) and eligibility verification prior to fund dispersal; all funding should be linked to performance.—
Richard Stern and Katherine Miller/ The Heritage Foundation,
Boston Herald,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
While couples today don’t need to adhere to every tradition when planning their wedding events, a bridal shower has a few etiquette protocols that many follow when arranging the party or attending as a guest.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The court found that the couple was indeed in violation of the HOA’s legally binding rules and therefore was required to pay the fines.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Can’t Look Away, in part, focuses on the Social Media Victims Law Center and its lawsuit against Snapchat on behalf of families whose children met tragic ends after consuming counterfeit prescription drugs acquired through the disappearing messaging app run by parent Snap.—
Etan Vlessing,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The two 16-year-old girls who were lost overnight after disappearing while paddleboarding have been released from the hospital.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Drizzle with dressing and finish with a generous grind of black pepper and a scatter of croutons, if desired. Makes 4 servings.—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Muscle fiber scatters light both parallel to and perpendicular to the direction of the muscle fiber, and that scattering changes when the muscle contracts.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
10 June 2015
Verb
-
The choir leaned over him offering words of motivation, and rain doused the flames as Kirk Franklin marched up to a stage beating back smoke with an orange glow, like sunlight dissolving cloud cover.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Even some downstate Republicans oppose the movement, arguing that dissolving townships will lead to tax hikes.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattering. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share