scatter
Throw in disarray
Scatter means to disperse or spread in various directions.
You scatter seeds across soil, or a crowd scatters when startled.
Things that scatter end up distributed irregularly rather than grouped: Papers scattered across the desk.
A scattering of something is a sparse, random distribution: a scattering of applause, a scattering of houses along the road.
Cause to spread apart
- spreadTo distribute widely
- distributeDivide and deliver
- disseminateSpread information widely
- strewDisperse irregularly across
sprinkle · diffuse · broadcast · fling · toss · throw · sow · pepper
Dispersed liquid droplets
- showerWater spray for bathing
- splashLiquid scattering on impact
- sprinkleLight scattering of particles
- spatterScatter in droplets
rain · mist · squirt · spurt · spritz · droplets · fleck · dust
Cause to spread apart
- fleeDepart swiftly from threat
- scrambleMix into disorder
- boltThreaded rod for nuts
- dashQuick burst or pinch
retreat · evacuate · disband · rout · stampede · panic · escape · flight
Fragment violently, suddenly
- splinterThin sharp fragment
- debrisScattered broken fragments
- shardsBroken fragments of brittle material
- piecesParts of something divided
bits · smithereens · rubble · shrapnel · remnants · particles · slivers · crumbs
Occurring without pattern
- haphazardLacking organization or plan
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- chaoticTotally without arrangement
- disorganizedLacking systematic arrangement
jumbled · strewn · disordered · patternless · sporadic · uneven · sparse · helter-skelter
disperse
Cause to spread apart
- spreadTo distribute widely
- distributeDivide and deliver
- disseminateSpread information widely
strew · sprinkle · diffuse · broadcast · fling · toss · throw · sow · pepper · dot
spray
Dispersed liquid droplets
spatter · rain · mist · squirt · spurt · spritz · droplets · fleck · dust · powder
disperse
Cause to spread apart
dash · retreat · evacuate · disband · rout · stampede · panic · escape · flight · clearing
shatter
Fragment violently, suddenly
- splinterThin sharp fragment
- debrisScattered broken fragments
- shardsBroken fragments of brittle material
pieces · bits · smithereens · rubble · shrapnel · remnants · particles · slivers · crumbs · specks
random
Occurring without pattern
- haphazardLacking organization or plan
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- chaoticTotally without arrangement
disorganized · jumbled · strewn · disordered · patternless · sporadic · uneven · sparse · helter-skelter · pell-mell
dissipate
Gradually fade away
fade · clear · lift · evaporate · melt · subside · diminish · wane · thin · break up
- crowd movementstampede, surge, crowd surge, rush, mob
- separationseparate, sieving, straining, divide, filtration
- -le/-er verbsbabble, bubble, bumble, burble, crackle
- decentralizationdecentralized, distribute, spread, disperse, self-governing
- manner of spreadingdiffusion, broadcast, radiation, dispersion, dissemination
- variabilityvariance, standard deviation, spread, dispersion, range
scattergather
Bring or come together
collect · assemble · cluster · concentrate · amass
scattercongregate
Gather as a group
gather · assemble · convene · unite · come together
- scattered showersIsolated light rainfalls
- scattered thoughtsUnfocused, disorganized mental activity
- scattered to the winds
- scattered remains
- scattered cloudsIntermittent sky coverage
- scattering ashesDistributing cremated remains outdoors
scattered, scattering, scatterbrain, scatters, scattershot, scatterings, scatterplot, scattergun, scatter plot