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
Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
The researchers have found a way to fine-tune these angstrom-scale pores to control how the material filters hydrogen ions, in order to produce proton beams with less scattering.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Aug. 2025
Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
For attendees who were already inside, the blowing dust whipped across the desert playa, overturning many campsites and scattering belongings.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scattering
Noun
In the Facebook comments accompanying the announcement, following a scattering of positive reactions, the conversation turned vitriolic.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
The researchers have found a way to fine-tune these angstrom-scale pores to control how the material filters hydrogen ions, in order to produce proton beams with less scattering.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
In the Lower Ninth Ward, floodwaters rose as high as 12 feet after the levees broke—sweeping away homes, scattering families, and displacing generations.
—Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
For attendees who were already inside, the blowing dust whipped across the desert playa, overturning many campsites and scattering belongings.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scattering
Noun
-
The biggest challenge to governance in Japan is not far-right populism but power dispersion and the gridlock that comes with it.—
Mireya Solís,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Its optical construction includes 14 elements in 11 groups, with extra-low dispersion glass and aspherical elements to minimize chromatic aberration and distortion.—
Harry Bennett,
Space.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But only a handful of his nominees have been confirmed by the Senate because of resistance from Democrats.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
-
This new ambassadorship will see Doja Cat, born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, star in a series of global campaigns for the brand, featuring a handful of bestselling products.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Whether the Supreme Court fires this blast or not, Republicans need to be aware that breaking up majority-minority districts, and dispersing those voters into neighboring districts to dilute their voting power, may well make those neighboring districts less safe for Republican incumbents.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Several local agencies from neighboring towns were called in to assist in dispersing the unruly crowd, and no injuries were reported among the officers.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Breaking Bad actor Raymond Cruz was arrested Monday on suspicion of misdemeanor battery after allegedly spraying someone with a hose while washing his car in front of his home in Los Angeles.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Rather than spraying the formula directly onto her skin, our tester applied it to a cotton round instead.—
Esme Benjamin,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sleek Design The CableTime dock is housed in an aluminum alloy shell which is both durable and efficient at dissipating heat that can build up when the dock is being used.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Creating majority-Black districts in the South has been a longstanding remedy to the historic dispersal of minority populations across multiple districts to dilute their voting power.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Very little funding has actually been delivered, sources say, in part because Commerce has held up its dispersal.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
27 Aug. 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
-
Under the post that included romantic and silly shots of Neeson sprinkling some popcorn over her head, Joely left a string of red heart emojis in the comments section.—
Jen Juneau,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Then, to complete the deep clean, Lane suggests, sprinkling baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and running a second hot cycle with no detergent.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattering. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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