scatters 1 of 2

plural of scatter

scatters

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of scatter
1
2
as in sprays
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 dissipates
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 scatters
Noun
Pea gravel shifts and scatters. Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026 In a cluttered room, that beam scatters in every direction. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026 As internal pressure builds, the casing ruptures and scatters fragments outward at high speed, causing widespread injury to those nearby. Divya Dubey, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026 Even a hit isn’t clean—some materials are highly reflective, meaning laser energy bounces off the drone and scatters, potentially causing blinding. Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026 The Problem of Bureaucracy in Scaling Enterprises Business expansion scatters work across codebases, project management tools, chat platforms, and docs. Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025 Their innovation, called retina E-paper, uses nanoparticles to control how light scatters, achieving lifelike color reproduction that can be tuned electrically. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025 Weed scatters and falls between the wood slats. Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
When the sun hits Ferm Living’s perforated Dapple chairs at just the right angle, light supposedly scatters through the steel seat in an artistic way, letting a relaxed tranquility wash over your outdoor patio. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 Aug. 2026 Humans also see such a bright blue because the clear water absorbs red wavelengths and scatters blue light back to our eyes. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026 Earth’s atmosphere scatters shorter blue wavelengths more efficiently, allowing warmer red and orange tones to dominate — the same effect that produces vivid sunsets. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026 The youth suddenly drops to the ground as the crowd scatters, the video shows. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026 This happens because its light passes through more of Earth's atmosphere, which scatters away the shorter blue wavelengths and lets the longer red tones pass through, an effect known as Rayleigh scattering. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026 As the light journeys along the fiber, little by little, some scatters off the glass molecules themselves and is lost. John Ballato, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026 But Orlandoans who, in years to come, will see and admire the graceful little tree that scatters yellow blooms in the Leu gardens, will know of one that did. Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026 Cosmos is a low-maintenance annual that grows quickly and scatters seed widely. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scatters
Noun
  • For some greens, stir in two big handfuls of spinach with the tomato sauce and cook until wilted.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Begin by mashing the garlic and a bit of salt with the flat side of a chef’s knife, then work in the basil in handfuls until finely chopped.
    Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 25 July 2026
Verb
  • This one has built-in UPF 50-plus sun protection and HydroFreeze X technology that wicks and disperses sweat, using moisture and airflow to create a cooling effect.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The Shark Lab eliminated sight (limited horizontal visibility) and odor (disperses too quickly in water) as the reason a shark might react from so far away.
    Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • In a photo of West Pine Cliff Court, burned homes surround one still standing, as a firefighter sprays down the walls and roof facing the engulfed house next door.
    Amanda Jackson, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • In the confusion, Paula is able to subdue Sky by nailing his hand to the ground and then sprays Ashley in the face with the dry shampoo before fleeing the scene.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • The outside consultants explained that the most common reason for white, cloudy water is dissolved air, which is harmless and can be tested by filling a glass and waiting a couple of minutes to see if the cloudiness dissipates.
    Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Aug. 2026
  • But for several minutes, perhaps up to a half-hour, the crowd only dissipates, not disappears.
    Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 27 July 2026
Noun
  • For manageable balances, couples may want to start by creating a repayment strategy that prioritizes high-rate debt or by exploring a debt consolidation loan that replaces multiple balances with one payment.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • If an asset holder instead wants to flip an asset by holding it for less than a year, the logic is that the holder should pay the ordinary income tax rate, which is 37% for taxable income over $640,600 (or over $768,700 for married couples).
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Kemery sprinkles the tiny seeds either in late fall or very early spring, when there’s still a chance of frost, since cold spells offer the best germination.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026
  • Thomson sprinkles critique throughout his book like seasoning unevenly applied to a gamey piece of meat.
    Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Based on Andrea Mara’s novel, the limited series stars Snook as a mother who must figure out what happened when her young son disappears.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In the time lapse, the setting sun disappears behind the moon as our natural satellite moves directly in front of the star.
    Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Prepare to be dazzled from Warsaw’s highest viewing terrace atop Varso Tower, which proudly dots the skyline, before eating your way through the innovative food halls that define the coolest neighborhoods.
    Kasia Dietz, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
  • Japanese linens top the bed, and designer furniture dots the living space.
    Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 1 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scatters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scatters. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on scatters

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster