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

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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

On a rimmed baking sheet, scatter sliced white onions. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2026 Then, the video shows all those under the tent scatter quickly. — Cbs Texas Staff, CBS News, 4 June 2026

Verb

His idyllic days were marked with sea breezes, rose petals scattered on the beach, and rosehips growing amidst seagrass, honeysuckle, and black-raspberry vines. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026 There are multiple gift shops scattered throughout the museum, as each special exhibition tends to have a dedicated one with products curated around its artist or theme. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scatter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scatter

Noun

Once construction is over, only a handful of permanent jobs are created.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Keep going down to the little beach, where two paddleboards and a handful of beach loungers (the good kind, made of fabric and with a footrest) sit at the gentle lapping edge of the sound.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of handful

Verb

The star will eventually die, destroying the lion and dispersing all the gas and dust into interstellar space.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026
The bank also called in the federal government, with FBI agents dispersing to Bellum’s Burbank high-rise and the bank’s offices.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of disperse

Verb

The viciousness of Manson’s crimes left a lasting mark on American culture and Manson himself achieved a perverse popularity — which has not dissipated in the years since his death.

— Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Instead, the rain dissipated around noon, the temperature dropped, and a slight breeze provided a slight reprieve to the corn-sweat humidity that engulfs this region every August.

— Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of dissipate

Noun

Diagnoses of autism, a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people communicate and behave, have increased roughly fivefold over the past couple of decades.

— Amanda Seitz, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
If both parties are PLA members, superiors must step in to mediate the relationship breakdown, and the couple can only get a civil divorce with the military’s approval, which can result in a longer process.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of couple

Verb

Never dump soil in large clumps in the garden; instead, sprinkle it thinly and evenly.

— Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 14 Aug. 2026
Warren Buffett went long in his annual letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders—often 10,000-plus words, deep on the year’s lessons and the company’s results, sprinkled with folksy wisdom.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of sprinkle

Verb

That money has largely disappeared and billions in central bank reserves remain frozen by the US and its allies over the Taliban’s rights record.

— Kara Fox, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
For Minimalists Specs AccordionItemContainerButton Sheer curtains don’t have to disappear into the background.

— Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of disappear

Noun

Part of that prep includes the scattering of limbs and bodies, which are made by House of the Dragon’s very busy prosthetics team headed up by designer Waldo Mason.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
The scattering of the Wariboko war-canoe clan started with Princewill, the youngest son of Chadwick.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of scattering

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scatted

scatter

scatterbrain

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“Scatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scatter. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of scatter

noun

verb

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