SCATTER Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

scatter 1 of 2

noun

Definition of scatter

as in handful

a small number played before only a scatter of spectators in that huge stadium

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scatter

2 of 2

verb

ˈska-tər

as in to disperse

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

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

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

Some dogs with severe dog anxiety may need to start with low-pressure options like scatter feeding before moving to more stimulating activities like a structured sniffari or formal scent work. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026 Allbee and Yakel developed their idea after observing casings scatter during a download. — Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 26 June 2026

Verb

For Sacramento, the northern Sierra, and the lower Sacramento Valley, most of the showers will arrive Wednesday night and early Thursday — although they are expected to be weaker and more scattered. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 They’re scattered around this western chunk of the state like treasure waiting to be found. — Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scatter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scatter

Noun

Twenty years ago, our entire business was powered by a handful of tower servers in a basement.

— Atul Sabharwal, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Musk’s companies are hardly the only ones facing key-person risks, of course, but only a handful of other companies come close to the scale of Tesla and SpaceX’s market value.

— Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of handful

Verb

Smotrich and his partners have dispersed new settlements in places with high tactical importance, deliberately separating areas under Palestinian control to disrupt the territorial continuity that could one day form the basis of a Palestinian state.

— Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026
But within seconds, an air raid alert sounded, and the crowd dispersed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of disperse

Noun

How happy couples avoid this fight Healthy couples absolutely still notice when things are lopsided.

— Mark Travers, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
Outdoor bars and tents are being set up for the crowds expected for the bull-riding event that evening, and couples of all ages hold hands and wander the brick streets.

— Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of couple

Verb

However, the Tar Heels have some dangerous playmakers sprinkled around the roster, including sophomore running back Demon June and junior wide receiver Jordan Shipp, who had 84 yards against TCU last season.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
Coltrane is also deeply interested in the Buddhist principles of karma and dharma, or the moral duties and obligations to a right way of life, which are sprinkled throughout the novel.

— Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sprinkle

Verb

Up to half of the more than 200,000 mountain glaciers — vast, slow moving rivers of ice that creep across the world’s peaks — are expected to disappear by the end of this century, even if ambitious climate goals are met.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Among the habitats Steinbach filmed are tidal floodplain forests, a landscape type that has largely disappeared in Europe.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of disappear

Noun

But thanks to atmospheric light scattering — the bouncing of photons off particles in the air — the area affected by the mirror's passage would be much wider, the study found.

— Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
The Gators are returning two full-time starters on the offensive line (Knijeah Harris and Caden Jones, bless them), who will be surrounded by a scattering of transfers.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of scattering

Browse Nearby Words

scatted

scatter

scatterbrain

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Scatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scatter. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of scatter

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes