1
as in dispersion
an act or process in which something scatters or is scattered
the scattering of the protesters suddenly turned violent and chaotic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in handful
a small number
a scattering of people in the mostly empty theater
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in dispersing
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 spraying
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 dissipating
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
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Recent Examples of scattering
Deborah Sengupta Stith, Mars Salazar, Lily Kepner, Ramon Ramirez, Austin American-Statesman, 8 Oct. 2024
On Saturday, Aaron Hawkins, manager of the venue, announced the outage to the audience amid a scattering of boos.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 29 June 2024
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2024
Cluster artillery popped open, scattering scores of lethal submunitions.
—David Axe, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scattering 
Noun
An hour before go time, only a sparse scattering of fans gathered around her stage.
—Deborah Sengupta Stith, Mars Salazar, Lily Kepner, Ramon Ramirez, Austin American-Statesman, 8 Oct. 2024
On Saturday, Aaron Hawkins, manager of the venue, announced the outage to the audience amid a scattering of boos.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 29 June 2024
Verb
When preparing your impressive dessert spread this holiday season, consider scattering in a few of these limited-time cookies to add a touch of color to your platter.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2024
Cluster artillery popped open, scattering scores of lethal submunitions.
—David Axe, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattering
Noun
-
While further study is needed to examine how environmental factors such as humidity and temperature affect particle dispersion, the understanding gleaned from the present study can inform ventilation strategies in restaurants, classrooms, hospitals, public transport, and the like.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Jan. 2025
-
For the best light transmission, choose ED (extra low dispersion) glass objective lenses, which will mean sharper-looking objects and better images in low light.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Bulgari watches and jewelry are sold through select outlets including Selfridges, Saks and a handful of private jewelers, in addition to its own stores.—
Samantha Conti,
WWD,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Irving will promote the new record with a handful of gigs, starting with a show May 4 at City Winery in New York City and another at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY on May 31.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Safety-net programs Programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) will continue dispersing aid during a shutdown.—
Brian Bennett,
TIME,
20 Dec. 2024
-
Try making your own candles, or dispersing the scent with essential oils or a stovetop simmer pot.—
Halee Miller Van Ryswyk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Still, its dispersal across a country embroiled in conflict will make disarmament tremendously challenging.—
Amy E. Smithson,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Sep. 2013
-
The outbreaks on the Reykjanes peninsula, known as fissure eruptions, have not directly affected the capital city and do not cause significant dispersals of ash into the stratosphere, avoiding air traffic disruption.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
21 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
The couple planned a wedding for 130 guests in two months.—
Tammy LaGorce,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
-
By the time the couple retired, their practice had grown to 19 employees and served thousands of patients.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The investigation was the result of an agreement between the city and a community group, the Crane Boulevard Safety Coalition, which found out about the disappearing messages in the course of litigation involving the construction of a home in Mount Washington.—
Tony Barboza,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Dec. 2024
-
The disappearing chat feature is part of a Google Workspace suite that is accessible to about 26,000 employees and has been available in some form since the early 2010s, when the city began contracting with Google for email and other services, Magos said.—
Tony Barboza,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Science says there's a reason When the moon moves into the inner part of Earth's shadow, or umbra, some of the sunlight entering Earth's skies scatters before reaching the moon's surface, according to NASA.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American-Statesman,
5 June 2024
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When the moon moves into the inner part of Earth's shadow, or umbra, according to NASA, some of the sunlight entering Earth's skies scatters before reaching the moon's surface.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Detroit Free Press,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The president of the United States was mentally collapsing, and nobody outside of conservative dissidents wanted to talk about it until Joe Biden forced the matter upon us all by dissolving in public.—
The Editors,
National Review,
3 Jan. 2025
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This liquid exfoliant penetrates deep into the pores, dissolving the buildup of excess oil and dead skin cells, which helps to prevent clogged pores and breakouts because, yes, acne can still be an issue as you age.—
Jordan Galloway,
SELF,
3 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near scattering
Cite this Entry
“Scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattering. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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