as in random
lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
a hodgepodge of scattered ideas that didn't add up to a clear hypothesis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in dispersed
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart
the noise of the backfiring car scattered the pigeons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sprayed
to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on
the hillside was scattered with boulders deposited by the last ice age
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in dissipated
to go off in different directions and cease to exist as a body or unified whole
these drunken revelers will quickly scatter when the police arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 scattered
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
The Winter Wonderland overlay sees Ski Dubai scattered with igloos and snowmen made from actual snow whilst icy walls are wrapped in fairy lights and the chalets are bristling with baubles and tinsel.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
These canvas structures—designed to mimic the boulders scattered across the landscape—are luxuriously outfitted with modern comforts like speedy WiFi and Nespresso machines and feature private plunge pools, where elephants frequently stop by for a drink.
—Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
Thousands of archaeological sites are scattered across the area, but they have not always been properly cared for.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025
Garbage has also been scattered across several properties.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025
The reality is similarly scattered — official snowfall totals vary from place to place around the metro.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025
The Best of the West offers fans a candid assessment of the top teams in the western third of the country — a collection that includes the Mountain West and the former Pac-12 schools now scattered across the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and West Coast Conference.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025
Access to a car helps to explore neighboring villages and stop at smaller Champagne houses scattered throughout the countryside.
—Kasia Dietz, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
First, there are the January theater festivals, your place to dig into experimental work scattered across smaller venues throughout the city.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
The Winter Wonderland overlay sees Ski Dubai scattered with igloos and snowmen made from actual snow whilst icy walls are wrapped in fairy lights and the chalets are bristling with baubles and tinsel.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
These canvas structures—designed to mimic the boulders scattered across the landscape—are luxuriously outfitted with modern comforts like speedy WiFi and Nespresso machines and feature private plunge pools, where elephants frequently stop by for a drink.
—Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
Thousands of archaeological sites are scattered across the area, but they have not always been properly cared for.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025
Garbage has also been scattered across several properties.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025
The reality is similarly scattered — official snowfall totals vary from place to place around the metro.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025
The Best of the West offers fans a candid assessment of the top teams in the western third of the country — a collection that includes the Mountain West and the former Pac-12 schools now scattered across the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and West Coast Conference.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025
Access to a car helps to explore neighboring villages and stop at smaller Champagne houses scattered throughout the countryside.
—Kasia Dietz, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattered
Adjective
-
Nicki Minaj was reportedly the target of a random swatting attack by someone who told police there had been a shooting at her Hidden Hills home.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
10 Apr. 2025
-
And as for the new show, the contestants are no longer random.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This person needs to be able to coordinate with everyone from local business owners to concerned citizens to state officials who make decisions about how funding is dispersed.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
-
In our grandparents’ day, families weren’t dispersed across the country, and family members often took care of their frail relatives.—
Steve Vernon,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The responses, submitted by a fairly arbitrary group of women, range from profound to half-hearted.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Too many leaders seek to lead down by being authoritative, by pushing dictates on people and relentlessly driving forward toward arbitrary goals and deadlines.—
Andrew Deutscher,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
She’s disappeared into history.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The ball literally disappeared for a couple of seconds.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Through an unlikely friendship with a feisty stray dog, Charlie discovers that family comes in many forms — and that sometimes, wishes do come true.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Despite the stray details that pour in through scopes and headsets, the soldiers are walled off from any clear sense of who or where their enemies are.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
That was apparent even in the first period, as the Canucks — a team that’s struggled enormously all season to generate looks and scoring chances — peppered their old teammate DeSmith with all manner of quality chances.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Sarah’s demise happens early on in the film, but her presence is still peppered throughout via flashbacks, momentary flashes mid-scene and photographic reminders.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Stir well until fully dissolved, then finish by adding a lemon-lime beverage of your choice.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Phil Mickelson admitted Friday that the tensions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have not completely dissolved, despite ongoing negotiations between the two circuits.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattered. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share