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
Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak, Harvard Business Review, 14 Mar. 2025
That scattering process polarizes the light, and the degree of polarization tells us where the object was in three dimensions.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 5 Feb. 2025
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
To manage through an era of... Post Sinking consumer sentiment, wobbly financial markets, and a scattering of disappointing macroeconomic data are stoking fears of a U.S. recession.
—Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak, Harvard Business Review, 14 Mar. 2025
That scattering process polarizes the light, and the degree of polarization tells us where the object was in three dimensions.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 5 Feb. 2025
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
-
Communities can stay informed about ash risks through official alerts, including those from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers, which monitor ash dispersion and issue timely warnings.—
David Kitchen,
The Conversation,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Given the significant dispersion in returns—highlighted by a 17.2% top/bottom gap in November—advisor due diligence is paramount.—
Steven Brod,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Nabulsi’s inter-generational drama is carefully composed, though the movie’s other subplots (concerning its handful of American and British characters) tend to be more stilted.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
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As ever, though, the gains are far from uniform, and a handful of states continue to account for an oversized share of the carnage.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
There are already laws in Florida governing weather modification, which can include cloud seeding—the enhancement of precipitation by dispersing substances into clouds that encourage the formation of rain or snow.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
-
These pollutants can come from a variety of sources, including vehicle emissions, industrial activity, wildfires, and weather patterns that prevent pollution from dispersing.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Since the departures of Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley, Judgment Day has lacked its previous momentum, prompting hope for either a revitalization of the group or a dispersal of its members to pursue individual storylines.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
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This is less sound economic policymaking than the arbitrary dispersal of favors.—
David B. McGarry,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The couple sign over their lives to the medtech start-up Rivermind, which digitally preserves part of Amanda’s consciousness following an emergency operation.—
Emma Stefansky,
The Atlantic,
17 Apr. 2025
-
While couples today don’t need to adhere to every tradition when planning their wedding events, a bridal shower has a few etiquette protocols that many follow when arranging the party or attending as a guest.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Can’t Look Away, in part, focuses on the Social Media Victims Law Center and its lawsuit against Snapchat on behalf of families whose children met tragic ends after consuming counterfeit prescription drugs acquired through the disappearing messaging app run by parent Snap.—
Etan Vlessing,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Mar. 2025
-
While remote work isn’t disappearing, the era of full-time remote freedom may be ending for many workers.—
Jason Wingard,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Muscle fiber scatters light both parallel to and perpendicular to the direction of the muscle fiber, and that scattering changes when the muscle contracts.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
10 June 2015
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In spectroscopy, a substance either absorbs or scatters light, depending on how its molecules vibrate.—
Ambuj Tewari,
The Conversation,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The choir leaned over him offering words of motivation, and rain doused the flames as Kirk Franklin marched up to a stage beating back smoke with an orange glow, like sunlight dissolving cloud cover.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
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Even some downstate Republicans oppose the movement, arguing that dissolving townships will lead to tax hikes.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scattering. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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