as in handful
a small number
a smattering of guests at the art exhibit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of smattering
Christopher Weber, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026
Most of the chain’s restaurants are located in the Midwest, with a smattering of locations in Texas and Washington state.
—Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
There's also a smattering of hip-hop, including a 1988 concert by rap pioneers Boogie Down Productions.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
That’s just a smattering of how the characters in Becky Shaw talk to each other — and, with the possible exception of the last statement, this is the more mild stuff.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Noun
There’s also a smattering of hip-hop, including a 1988 concert by rap pioneers Boogie Down Productions.
—Christopher Weber, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026
Most of the chain’s restaurants are located in the Midwest, with a smattering of locations in Texas and Washington state.
—Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
There's also a smattering of hip-hop, including a 1988 concert by rap pioneers Boogie Down Productions.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
That’s just a smattering of how the characters in Becky Shaw talk to each other — and, with the possible exception of the last statement, this is the more mild stuff.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smattering
Noun
-
In a world filled with trillions upon trillions of atoms, spotting a handful that barely exist sounds almost impossible.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Those increases were offset by steep drops in a handful of large states, including Minnesota and Texas.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The couple was picked up by a driver named Javier in a 2023 Kia K5 sedan.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Cisse brings a couple of his own Packers connections to Green Bay.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Benito finds community with the like-minded Pleneros de la Cresta, who have been playing the island’s pattering folk music for over a decade.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Stokes seems to enjoy trolling the media and public a bit, too.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Her third album, Sheezus (2014), saw her trolling her fellow music artists, including rapper Kanye West (Sheezus is a riff on his Yeezus).—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hardcore Survivor fans love to discuss and debate the intricacies of the game and their favorite seasons and winners in the same way that sports fans enjoy chattering nonstop about their teams.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Feb. 2026
-
This is the shelter’s busiest season, making for the film’s most vibrant, chattering section, and Hélène adapts well to the rhythm and volume of whatever company rolls in, while occasionally retreating to the woods for some respite.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Justin Fletcher returns as the bleating voice of Shaun and the flock, joined by John Sparkes, and Kate Harbour as voice talent in the dialog-free feature.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
-
When Sneaky Snook in his mail truck happened upon the wreckage near the boundary of Meredith Downs, sheep were scattered along the roadside and the fence, bleating, dazed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With the June primary looming, Villaraigosa’s campaign risks sputtering out.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
-
With the majority of their big-league starting lineup competing in the World Baseball Classic, the offense is sputtering big-time.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In an eventual 57-point Hurricanes victory, Stevenson was balling and jabbering about it, too, to every Wildcats pass catcher within earshot.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smattering. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
