dispersar(se)
verbCEFR B2
What does “dispersar(se)” mean in English?
to scatter, to disperse
to scatter, to disperse (dispersar a + people — spread away from a centre; dispersarse — reflexive)
Example sentences
Las autoridades dispersaron a los manifestantes que bloqueaban el acceso al edificio gubernamental.
The authorities dispersed the protesters who were blocking access to the government building.
Tras el acto, los asistentes se dispersaron por los bares y restaurantes del centro.
After the event, the attendees scattered through the bars and restaurants in the centre.
How to use it
Dispersar means 'to scatter' or 'to disperse'. Structure: dispersar + noun (crowd, seeds, attention); dispersarse (scatter — reflexive). Common in crowd-control, military, botanical, and attention/focus registers. Collocations: dispersar a los manifestantes, dispersarse por la ciudad.
Common mistake
Dispersar (scatter/disperse — spread away from a centre) vs. disolver (dissolve/break up — end a gathering formally) vs. separar (separate — divide into groups). Police use both dispersar and disolver; dispersar implies physical scattering.