scatter

To move, or make people or things move, apart in different directions.

• The birds scattered when we approached.
• A sudden shout scattered the crowd.
• Everyone scattered in different directions to find shelter.

How to use it: scatter in all directions (The birds scattered in all directions when the dog barked.)

Similar words: disperse, spread out

Opposites: gather

Common phrases: scatter in panic, scatter the crowd, scatter in something

To spread small things over an area without arranging them neatly.

• Scatter some cheese over the pasta.
• The wind scattered papers across the street.
• They scattered his ashes beside the lake.

How to use it: scatter something over something (Scatter the seeds over the soil.); scatter something with something (She scattered the path with rose petals.)

Similar words: sprinkle, strew

Opposites: collect

Common phrases: scatter seeds, scatter something over, scatter something across

To destroy hopes or plans, or prevent them from succeeding.

• The defeat scattered all their hopes.
• One unexpected letter scattered her plans for the future.
• The storm scattered their dreams of a safe return.

Similar words: shatter, ruin, thwart

Common phrases: scatter someone's hopes, scatter someone's plans