as in handful
a small number
a smattering of guests at the art exhibit
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Recent Examples of smattering
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2025
In a similar vein, Malloy’s musical score is almost anonymously eclectic — wistful ballads, stomping pop, a smattering of EDM — but threaded through with enough strains of Russian folk and klezmer to suggest a sense of place.
—Houman Barekat, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024
The selections that follow represent just a smattering of their diverse offerings in 2024 — and in many cases the shots wouldn’t have been possible without subjects willing to go with the flow or pivot when necessary.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
The Madrean Sky Islands, a smattering of tall borderlands ranges that rise where the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts meet, are critical stepping stones for migrating birds and some of America’s rarest mammals, who rely on the forests, springs and prey to survive their journeys.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smattering 
Noun
There was one in 1960 when the toy first became a modern fad, another in 1987, and a smattering of more recent papers since 2008 as the Hula-Hoop's popularity has risen again as a form of exercise of performance art.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2025
In a similar vein, Malloy’s musical score is almost anonymously eclectic — wistful ballads, stomping pop, a smattering of EDM — but threaded through with enough strains of Russian folk and klezmer to suggest a sense of place.
—Houman Barekat, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024
The selections that follow represent just a smattering of their diverse offerings in 2024 — and in many cases the shots wouldn’t have been possible without subjects willing to go with the flow or pivot when necessary.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
The Madrean Sky Islands, a smattering of tall borderlands ranges that rise where the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts meet, are critical stepping stones for migrating birds and some of America’s rarest mammals, who rely on the forests, springs and prey to survive their journeys.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smattering
Noun
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This list covers a handful of these places, but each one is uniquely beautiful and worth a visit.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
16 Jan. 2025
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Los Angeles has a handful of them, and their data is tracked and published on an hourly basis by the EPA.—
Paresh Dave,
WIRED,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Rising costs and the desire for more intimate gatherings have led some couples to limit plus-ones.—
Raul A. Reyes,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
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The couple planned a wedding for 130 guests in two months.—
Tammy LaGorce,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But if the reform process lags and if Bangladesh's sputtering economy doesn't improve, the public's patience could start to wear thin for an administration that for now enjoys ample support.—
Michael Kugelman,
NPR,
21 Dec. 2024
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Those reports have unnerved British officials, who fear the tariffs could throttle the country’s already sputtering economic growth.—
Mark Landler,
New York Times,
20 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near smattering
Cite this Entry
“Smattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smattering. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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