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

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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

If Cruz’s support scatters across two films, neither performance may crack the top five and if concentrated on one, she could be deemed far safer. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 For loose-leaf lettuce, scatter seeds over a bed and cover with ¼ inch of soil; for head lettuce, sow seeds ¼ inch deep and 2 inches apart. — Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026

Verb

Afterwards, everyone was lured by the sound of salsa music into Bar Lelarge for a nightcap before scattering around the hotel. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026 Now known to most for Two and a Half Men, which earned him two Emmys, the New York native had scattered big-screen success following his Pretty in Pink breakout. — Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scatter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scatter

Noun

Rugged island Flores, located in the southeast of the Indonesian archipelago, is one of a handful of islands in the world’s most populous Muslim nation with a Christian majority, with 80% of its two million inhabitants identifying as Roman Catholic.

— Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 22 Oct. 2026
That’s 35% of the value of the S&P 500 and the highest concentration in a handful of stocks since just before the crash of 1929.

— Ming Lu, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of handful

Verb

For an intervention dispersed through a harbor and out to sea, that may be as close as the ocean gets to a meter reading.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse rioters, many with their faces covered, who clashed with police, looted stores and set property on fire in central Milan on Saturday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of disperse

Verb

Experts said some of the tension – particularly on issues related to diesel, with Trump blaming Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for soaring prices rather than the Iran war – may dissipate after the US midterms.

— Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Their grip on song structure has loosened with each record and, by their most recent, 2024’s Exotic Birds of Prey, nearly dissipated altogether.

— Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of dissipate

Noun

She was represented by an attorney, and, as is standard in surrogacy cases, there was an agreement — a contract — between the French couple and the woman.

— Jim Defede, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Entertainment Weekly has reached out to the couple for more information on Becca’s cancer diagnosis and her upcoming treatment.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of couple

Verb

Set the scene The hotel is located in the town of Lenox, home to a balanced blend of family locals with young tourists sprinkled very sparsely throughout.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
Drizzle with spicy lime dressing and scallion oil and sprinkle with peanuts and sesame seeds.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of sprinkle

Verb

To shoppers, the chain disappears, until next September or so, when another store pops up somewhere in the neighborhood.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Two experienced military observers described a silent craft that performed abrupt maneuvers before disappearing.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of disappear

Noun

Researchers are working to reduce unwanted light scattering, which can affect measurement stability.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Americans and a scattering of Europeans in search of the fabled Dolce Vita of this coast, and the trend of Asian and Middle East guests who are fans of the brand.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of scattering

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scatted

scatter

scatterbrain

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Style

“Scatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scatter. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of scatter

noun

verb

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