splatter

1 of 3

verb

splat·​ter ˈspla-tər How to pronounce splatter (audio)
splattered; splattering; splatters
Synonyms of splatternext

transitive verb

: spatter

intransitive verb

: to scatter or fall in or as if in drops

splatter

2 of 3

noun

: spatter, splash

splatter

3 of 3

adjective

: characterized by extreme or excessive gore or violence
a splatter movie

Synonyms of splatter

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Verb

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Examples of splatter in a Sentence

Verb Mud splattered everywhere when the wet dog shook himself. Rain splattered against the windows. A big bug splattered against the windshield of the car. The egg splattered on the floor. The paint splattered my clothes. Noun I had paint splatters on my jeans. There were mud splatters all over the carpet. Blood splatter was found at the crime scene.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Throughout the years, Graham was sprayed by grout on a construction site and splattered with oil while cutting timber. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 The ballad requires more singing and less shouting — and featured a tattooed Lee playing a white upright piano splattered and streaked with fake blood. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
Use a splatter screen, lid, or other cover when cooking to contain oils that pop and land all over your kitchen. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026 Let that heat before laying the steak into the pan (away from yourself, to prevent oil splatters). — Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
The avid reader in your life will adore this set of splatter paint bookends made of concrete casts. — Jessica Cherner, House Beautiful, 11 Nov. 2022 The film is a mess of tones and ideas, lugubrious splatter-movie violence mixed with a confused desire to appeal to the Stranger Things demographic. — Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 20 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for splatter

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably blend of splash and spatter

First Known Use

Verb

1785, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of splatter was in 1785

Rhymes for splatter

See All Rhymes for splatter

Browse Nearby Words

splathering
splatter
splatterdock
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Splatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splatter. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

splatter

verb
splat·​ter
ˈsplat-ər
1
: spatter entry 1 sense 1
2
: to scatter or fall in or as if in drops
splatter noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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