SCATTERSHOT Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

scattershot

adjective

Definition of scattershot

as in haphazard

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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 scattershot Some hospitals have started to run their own numbers, but the effort is scattershot. — Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026 There’s something of a profit panic as the company tries to figure out how to make money from its scattershot AI enterprises, while Claude Code and Cowork from Anthropic emerged as the winners for enterprise AI spending. — Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 29 Apr. 2026 Bondi’s scattershot compliance of that law drew outrage from victims. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026 His pocket awareness still needs work, though, and the occasional scattershot stretch pops up from time to time. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scattershot

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattershot

Adjective

And of how even the most unified filmography can be the result of completely haphazard circumstances.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 14 July 2026
The seemingly haphazard approach to regulating new model releases has led to widespread calls from the AI industry for more consistent regulation.

— Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Definition of haphazard

Adjective

The maximalist space is filled with art pieces big and small — drawings taped up, random plant pots and street signs, scrap-metal sculptures and realist paintings.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026
Amid the random parts stitched together to fill 10 half-hour episodes (which are actually 30 minutes or less, thank God), there are intriguing patterns.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 2026

Definition of random

Adjective

American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases.

— Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 13 July 2026
The contact between Balogun and the Bosnian player was clearly incidental, with both going for the ball, leading to the awkward foot placement.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of incidental

Adjective

Fire officials deemed the fire accidental after determining that the family dog, Bo, jumped onto the kitchen counter and turned on the toaster, which ignited nearby combustibles.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Its lightweight, compliant structure makes accidental contact with people, pets and furniture far safer than conventional drones.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026

Definition of accidental

Adjective

Only a few minutes earlier, Abulaila endured an inadvertent slap to his throat by Arnautovic on a pass into the box.

— Cam Inman, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
Often, high achievers can get separated from the group, which creates an inadvertent spirit of isolationism, separating them from their peers and thereby creating an us-versus-them mentality.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 June 2026

Definition of inadvertent

Adjective

States routinely review the accuracy of their voter rolls and sporadic cases of noncitizen voting are investigated and prosecuted.

— Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 July 2026
His impact last season was more sporadic than steady, however, which is not uncommon for a first-year starter learning on the fly.

— Dane Brugler, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of sporadic

Adjective

Some jokes, including a riff on the history of the Wright Brothers, feel vaguely Dada, as if Marino and Wain had spent a long, happy stretch of aimless days drinking coffee and free-associating.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 July 2026
Liam, once aimless and unhoused, quickly finds purpose in the charade as a husband and father.

— Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 June 2026

Definition of aimless

Browse Nearby Words

scatters

scattershot

scatting

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Style

“Scattershot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattershot. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of scattershot

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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