scatter
verb (used with object)
to throw loosely about; distribute at irregular intervals.
had scattered
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past perfectof scatter.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
During the band’s hiatus, the members had scattered slightly, with Fogg in north Alabama, Cockrell in Nashville and Howard just outside the country-music capital.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
The Rosenthals, like many large American families, had scattered.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026
Others, like “The Brutalist,” “The Last Showgirl,” “A Different Man” and “Flow” have all had scattered release dates as they expand, if they’re expanding at all.
From Salon ● Jan. 6, 2025
Forlorn and dejected, I found myself picking up all the balls that I had scattered all over the Leicester City training ground from my appalling finishing when I saw Terry walking towards me.
From BBC ● Nov. 26, 2023
Next went her notebook, her ballpoint, her history book, a stack of note cards, until her bookbag lay crumpled on the floor like a shed skin and everything that had been inside it had scattered.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
