as in handful
a small number
a smattering of guests at the art exhibit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 smattering
Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
Areas vulnerable to soil erosion—like slopes and hillsides—may benefit more from a smattering of dryer lint.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
For most of its 700-year history, its membership was composed of noblemen — almost never women — who inherited their seats, alongside a smattering of bishops.
—Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Over the course of its previous editions, Qumra has become an important springtime meeting for directors and producers from across the Middle East and North Africa, with the event also inviting a smattering of non-MENA grantees.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Noun
Winter Storm Warnings stretch from Montana to Michigan, with a smattering of Blizzard Warnings across South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and the upper peninsula of Michigan.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
Areas vulnerable to soil erosion—like slopes and hillsides—may benefit more from a smattering of dryer lint.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
For most of its 700-year history, its membership was composed of noblemen — almost never women — who inherited their seats, alongside a smattering of bishops.
—Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Over the course of its previous editions, Qumra has become an important springtime meeting for directors and producers from across the Middle East and North Africa, with the event also inviting a smattering of non-MENA grantees.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smattering
Noun
-
Visit the Saturday farmers market, explore the handful of local shops, and take an easy hike to the Montezuma waterfall for a refreshing dip in its natural pool.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Only a handful of ships from a few countries, China, India and Pakistan, are known to have gotten through the strait.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For families While the smaller villas are more suited for couples, there are two-bedroom villas as well as one three-bedroom villa and one four-bedroom one.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
While my mom stayed in the car to nurse the baby, my father and I went inside, and a nice elderly couple started talking to me in line, just making conversation.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Benito finds community with the like-minded Pleneros de la Cresta, who have been playing the island’s pattering folk music for over a decade.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The city maintains that the lid lifters, besides trolling for batteries and propane tanks, are part of an education program to help residents understand the city’s totally insane trash-sorting rules.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
If trolling your enemies on Instagram were an Olympic sport, 50 Cent would have a chestful of gold medals.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hardcore Survivor fans love to discuss and debate the intricacies of the game and their favorite seasons and winners in the same way that sports fans enjoy chattering nonstop about their teams.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Feb. 2026
-
This is the shelter’s busiest season, making for the film’s most vibrant, chattering section, and Hélène adapts well to the rhythm and volume of whatever company rolls in, while occasionally retreating to the woods for some respite.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Justin Fletcher returns as the bleating voice of Shaun and the flock, joined by John Sparkes, and Kate Harbour as voice talent in the dialog-free feature.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
-
When Sneaky Snook in his mail truck happened upon the wreckage near the boundary of Meredith Downs, sheep were scattered along the roadside and the fence, bleating, dazed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With the June primary looming, Villaraigosa’s campaign risks sputtering out.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
-
With the majority of their big-league starting lineup competing in the World Baseball Classic, the offense is sputtering big-time.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In an eventual 57-point Hurricanes victory, Stevenson was balling and jabbering about it, too, to every Wildcats pass catcher within earshot.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smattering. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
