as in handful
a small number
a smattering of guests at the art exhibit
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smattering
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2026
But a smattering of residents have moved in, some of them fishing in the development’s tranquil waters.
—Albee Zhang, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
For lunch Henrietta serves as an informal deli with a smattering of seasonal salads and sandwiches such as mushroom French dips and turkey with bread-and-butter-style fennel pickles.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Davy accented her look with a chain necklace, drop earrings, smattering of rings, and gold watch.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Noun
This storage unit is one of Kartell’s most iconic designs and comes in a smattering of rich colors, from moss green and blush pink to a vibrant yellow and toffee brown.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2026
But a smattering of residents have moved in, some of them fishing in the development’s tranquil waters.
—Albee Zhang, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
For lunch Henrietta serves as an informal deli with a smattering of seasonal salads and sandwiches such as mushroom French dips and turkey with bread-and-butter-style fennel pickles.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Davy accented her look with a chain necklace, drop earrings, smattering of rings, and gold watch.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smattering
Noun
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What would the men who spent the night not five miles from here, a hundred and eleven years ago, have given for a handful of these berries?—
Cree LeFavour,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
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Lang and a handful of associates then carried the roasted pig, wrapped in tin foil, down York Ave.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The couple are interested in partnering with a philanthropic organization to help digitize the newspaper’s archives, which stretch back to 1928 — when the eight-page weekly tabloid, known then as the Palisadian, sold for just five cents a pop.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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After losing their home in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the couple, then 38, relocated to Boston with their children Marcelle and Hylton, seeking better economic and educational prospects.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Yet Fishback promotes conspiracy theories and trolling language against Jewish people.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2026
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In critiquing Trump on social media, Newsom has taken to imitating the president’s tone, trolling Trump in his all-caps style.—
Meg Kinnard,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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Here came Corgan, bleating a ballad that was genuinely moving, and people wanted to hear it.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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After some false starts, a windfall came when David Geffen, the longtime contemporary art collector, made his historic pledge in 2017, injecting some excitement into a campaign that had been sputtering.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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 14 Mar. 2026.
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