scatter 1 of 2

scatter

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to spray
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 to dissipate
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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb scatter differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scatter are dispel, disperse, and dissipate. While all these words mean "to cause to separate or break up," scatter implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions.

the bowling ball scattered the pins

When could dispel be used to replace scatter?

The meanings of dispel and scatter largely overlap; however, dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering.

an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

In what contexts can disperse take the place of scatter?

The words disperse and scatter are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group.

police dispersed the crowd

Where would dissipate be a reasonable alternative to scatter?

In some situations, the words dissipate and scatter are roughly equivalent. However, dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance.

the fog was dissipated by the morning sun

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 scatter
Noun
Fast-food and healthcare spend has been particularly strong in second-quarter scatter, although Johnston acknowledged that investment across the direct-to-consumer space has been disrupted by a glut in supply. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 May 2025 If the ongoing expansion of the NFL’s national inventory should keep CPM hikes in check during the upfront selloff, the league’s media partners may counter by holding back more units for scatter. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 May 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, Ohio has more than 460 Speedway locations (the most in the U.S.) scattered across the state, according to ScrapHero. Jason Rossi, The Enquirer, 11 July 2025 Colors with shorter wavelengths, such as blues and violets, scatter more easily than colors with longer wavelengths, which include red and orange. John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for scatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scatter
Noun
  • Lisette Olivera was initially cast as a series regular last season to succeed Kane but left after a handful of episodes as Scola’s new partner Syd Ortiz.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 14 July 2025
  • Let’s review… ATTENDANCE Despite a handful of group stage games played in front of small crowds, the total attendance over the month was 2.49 million and the average attendance was 39,547.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Trump wants to disperse GOP voters across the state to help flip blue seats, rather then have them be consolidated in red districts.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 21 July 2025
  • Agents used tear gas to disperse protesters, and one person died after falling from a roof during the raid.
    Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • Before help arrives, begin cooling the exhausted individual by any means possible, such as spraying them with a garden hose or using cool cloths.
    Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 22 July 2025
  • Bulls regularly wallow during the rut, spraying piss into shallow ponds to coat themselves in a lather of testosterone-rich mud that cows can smell from a long way.
    Jace Bauserman, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2025
Verb
  • Heat dome could linger for two weeks The heat dome won't dissipate soon.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 24 July 2025
  • The heat will dissipate after Thursday, but it’s expected to return next week, with nearly two-thirds of the eastern U.S. facing warmer than normal temperatures.
    Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • Aimee, the couple's oldest child, chose not to be involved in the series.
    Julie Tremaine, People.com, 22 July 2025
  • In the past couple of years, Soon-Shiong has expressed a desire to feature more conservative voices at the Los Angeles Times.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Swap the bananas for berries or apple slices and sprinkle with cinnamon for a flavor change.
    Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 25 July 2025
  • Sherbrooke is easily walkable with microbreweries, art museums and galleries, and vintage shops sprinkling the downtown core, and, of course, excellent poutine that rivals Montreal and Quebec City.
    Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Winter's influence in deeper waters is also disappearing, with shifts in fall overturn and winter cooling that could impact the lake's ecosystem.
    Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • Acute hives might pop up in one spot and disappear within a few hours, only to show up somewhere else.
    Chloe Castleberry, Flow Space, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • The Jags traded a haul of picks to the Cleveland Browns to move up to No. 2 for two-way sensation Travis Hunter, effectively dotting the exclamation point on the new regime’s bold offseason.
    Jeff Howe, New York Times, 24 July 2025
  • Freudenberger was inspired by the Central Coast’s unique ecosystem, which is dotted with Monterey pines, cypress trees, and tide pools.
    Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scatter. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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