scatter (B1)

verb

Pronunciation: /ˈskætər/

Definition

To throw or drop things in a way that they spread out over a wide area.

Examples

• The children scattered the bread crumbs for the birds.

• The explosion caused debris to scatter in all directions.

• Police were called to disperse the crowd, but the people scattered quickly.

How to Use scatter

scatter something (collocation)

To throw or drop something so it spreads out. — "She scattered the petals on the path."

scatter something over/across something (prepositional phrase)

To spread something over a particular area. — "He scattered the leaves over the garden."

scatter (away/out) (phrasal verb)

To cause a group of people or animals to separate and go in different directions. — "The noise made the birds scatter away."

Synonyms of scatter

Words with a similar meaning to scatter:

• disperse
• spread
• distribute
• sprinkle

Antonyms of scatter

Words with the opposite meaning to scatter:

• gather
• collect
• concentrate

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