scatter

3 definitions • 6 examples

to (cause to) move far apart in different directions:

The protesters scattered at the sound of gunshots.

The soldiers came in and scattered the crowd.

to cover a surface with things that are far apart and in no particular arrangement:

Scatter the powder around the plants.

I scattered grass seed all over the lawn.

I scattered the whole lawn with grass seed.

to move apart in many directions, or to throw something in different directions:

[ I ] We grew up in a small town, but now we’re scattered all over the country.