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
Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
The researchers have found a way to fine-tune these angstrom-scale pores to control how the material filters hydrogen ions, in order to produce proton beams with less scattering.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Aug. 2025
Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
For attendees who were already inside, the blowing dust whipped across the desert playa, overturning many campsites and scattering belongings.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scattering
Noun
In the Facebook comments accompanying the announcement, following a scattering of positive reactions, the conversation turned vitriolic.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
The researchers have found a way to fine-tune these angstrom-scale pores to control how the material filters hydrogen ions, in order to produce proton beams with less scattering.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the Lower Ninth Ward, floodwaters rose as high as 12 feet after the levees broke—sweeping away homes, scattering families, and displacing generations.
—Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
For attendees who were already inside, the blowing dust whipped across the desert playa, overturning many campsites and scattering belongings.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattering
Noun
-
Its optical construction includes 14 elements in 11 groups, with extra-low dispersion glass and aspherical elements to minimize chromatic aberration and distortion.—
Harry Bennett,
Space.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
As of noon Saturday, air quality maps showed unhealthy levels in the areas surrounding the fire but better dispersion than Friday around neighboring communities like Calistoga and Pope Valley.—
Santa Rosa Press Democrat,
Mercury News,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The defensive line is far too often out of alignment, the midfield is still searching for balance between security and verve, while the front three are lucky to combine more than a handful of times per game.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Julie Tremaine Where to Eat Besides the restaurants at Ocean House, Watch Hill has a handful of restaurants all on and around the easily walkable Bay Street.—
Julie Tremaine,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Whether the Supreme Court fires this blast or not, Republicans need to be aware that breaking up majority-minority districts, and dispersing those voters into neighboring districts to dilute their voting power, may well make those neighboring districts less safe for Republican incumbents.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Several local agencies from neighboring towns were called in to assist in dispersing the unruly crowd, and no injuries were reported among the officers.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Avoid spraying on windy days which can carry herbicide away from the target plants.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
28 Aug. 2025
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Despite the lack of scientific evidence that Epsom salt works as a weed killer, many homemade weed killer recipes floating around on the internet recommend spraying a mixture of Epsom salt, vinegar, and dish soap on weeds to kill them.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Sleek Design The CableTime dock is housed in an aluminum alloy shell which is both durable and efficient at dissipating heat that can build up when the dock is being used.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Very little funding has actually been delivered, sources say, in part because Commerce has held up its dispersal.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Even worse, Republicans ended the CTC’s monthly dispersal and actually shrunk how many children can get the CTC by 2 million.—
Debbie Wasserman Schultz,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Sean Duffy and some of the couple’s children were also in the segment, and it was filmed in the New Jersey home.—
Robert Faturechi,
ProPublica,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Ford, an Eagle High School graduate, has had to wait to shine because of a series of injuries over the past couple of years.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Under the post that included romantic and silly shots of Neeson sprinkling some popcorn over her head, Joely left a string of red heart emojis in the comments section.—
Jen Juneau,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
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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,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattering. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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