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
Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Before satellite measurements, researchers relied on estimates and data from a smattering of air and ground-based sensors.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2025
The box contained a smattering of items, including ammunition, building materials, four cell phones and handwritten letters.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Temperate weather brought out a range of cross-seasonal fashion trends, from tweed ensembles to colorful floral frocks, with a smattering of geometric prints and the occasional leopard print.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Verb
And there was a smattering of other items, which the visitor, fancying himself an amateur academic archeologist, thought worth noting.
—Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Before satellite measurements, researchers relied on estimates and data from a smattering of air and ground-based sensors.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2025
The box contained a smattering of items, including ammunition, building materials, four cell phones and handwritten letters.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Temperate weather brought out a range of cross-seasonal fashion trends, from tweed ensembles to colorful floral frocks, with a smattering of geometric prints and the occasional leopard print.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smattering
Noun
-
The show got underway outdoors at Borough Hall with a handful of guests and many more onlookers (the runway was raised, which was a nice touch).—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
-
To bridge the gap, a handful of states have enacted orders expanding and protecting access, issuing blanket prescriptions, executive orders and insurance coverage requirements.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The couple shared two children, a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son, according to posts on social media.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Earlier in the week, the couple attended the fourth annual Kering Foundation Caring for Women dinner—the most talked about NYFW benefit.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Collectively, these four viral posts expertly trolling Belichick pomp received nearly 225,000 likes, were reposted 11,000 times, and were picked by media outlets such as Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, and USA Today.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Governor Gavin Newsom of California is having an impact through his memes trolling Trump.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
After much chattering about the status of the Oscar winner’s seemingly clean-cut visage in the lead-up to the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival, once the camera (actually, four cameras) train themselves on Stone’s noggin during the film’s first act, there’s no doubt.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
-
This obviously includes scoring a reservation at Oreade, where Bacciottini turns to the land and tradition for the menu—and enjoying quiet mornings where breakfast looks out to Tuscany’s famous rolling hills, with birds and cicadas chattering in the background.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The right is being horrifyingly plain in bleating their bigotry, but they’re also lost in linguistic obscurities.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His arrival home each night is announced by his sputtering motorcycle and his drunken stumbling up the stairs.—
Adam Solomons,
IndieWire,
4 Sep. 2025
-
That this continues after years of California officials proposing law after law to rein in the industry leaves this scribe, and many others, sputtering with rage.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smattering. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share