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
Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
This Monday, however, the 2,030 foot-long pool sat completely empty, save for a smattering of construction vehicles, portable toilets and traffic cones.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
What started last year with Texas Republicans drawing five GOP-leaning seats was met with California Democrats drawing their own five favorable seats, followed by a smattering of other states redistricting for partisan advantage.
—Alicia Diaz, Bloomberg, 21 Apr. 2026
Save for a smattering of Stake gambling streams, Drake went quiet for the rest of last year.
—Karen Bliss, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Noun
For a day out with her dad, Scott Swift, on Monday, April 27, the 36-year-old superstar accessorized her blue and white pinstripe midi dress from Nordstrom with a smattering of diamond and opal jewelry.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
This Monday, however, the 2,030 foot-long pool sat completely empty, save for a smattering of construction vehicles, portable toilets and traffic cones.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
What started last year with Texas Republicans drawing five GOP-leaning seats was met with California Democrats drawing their own five favorable seats, followed by a smattering of other states redistricting for partisan advantage.
—Alicia Diaz, Bloomberg, 21 Apr. 2026
Save for a smattering of Stake gambling streams, Drake went quiet for the rest of last year.
—Karen Bliss, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smattering
Noun
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While Jaquez did not provide the eye-popping scoring of some of her teammates, the wing brought a cool effectiveness to the defensive side of the ball while tallying a pair of assists and a handful of deflections.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
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Submitting requests to a handful of data broker sites only limits exposure temporarily, and those same sites can relist your details as public records refresh.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
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There are baking projects like homemade bagels, riffs on fast-food favorites, and a couple of drinks to round things out.—
Hannah Lee Leidy,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 May 2026
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Even if his hair were jet-black, the last couple of weeks would be capable of turning anyone’s hair gray.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 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
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Further, Musk is accused of using the litigation as part of a harassment campaign trolling Altman.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
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Stokes seems to enjoy trolling the media and public a bit, too.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 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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Players started bleating, serenading James with sounds deserving of the GOAT — greatest of all time.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
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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
Verb
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Maybe Bryce Eldridge and Jesús Rodriguez can kick-start the sputtering engine?—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
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So, the Dodgers’ offense has been sputtering as of late.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 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 11 May. 2026.
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