scatter
9 synonyms and 5 antonyms for scatter, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To cause to separate and move in different directions.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use scatter
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
scatter seeds
crowd scattered
scattered debris
Etymology
From Middle English scateren, likely a variant of "shatter," and possibly ultimately imitative in origin.
Full origin of scatter →Frequently asked questions
What does “scatter” mean?
The word “scatter” means to cause to separate and move in different directions. In plain terms, to spread out in different directions, or to sprinkle something loosely.
How do you pronounce “scatter”?
“Scatter” is pronounced SKA-tuh (/ˈskætɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “scatter” in a sentence?
Here is “scatter” used in a sentence: “The pigeons scattered when the dog ran into the square.”
What part of speech is “scatter”?
“Scatter” is a verb.
Where does the word “scatter” come from?
The word “scatter” comes from Middle English. From Middle English scateren, likely a variant of "shatter," and possibly ultimately imitative in origin.
Is “scatter” a common word?
“Scatter” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “scatter” have?
“Scatter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cause to separate and move in different directions.
