widespread
adjective
wide·spread
ˈwīd-ˈspred 
1
: widely diffused or prevalent
widespread public interest
2
: widely extended or spread out
low, widespread hood and fenders—
Time
Timea widespread erosion surface—C. B. Hitchcock
C. B. HitchcockExamples of widespread in a Sentence
There is widespread public interest in the election.
Trade partners had become more widespread.
There was widespread opposition to the plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Vietnam is prone to often deadly storms and flooding that cause widespread property damage, especially during the storm season from June until October.
—Reuters, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
But regulation was meant to bring normalcy and order to what was once considered an illicit, though widespread, activity.
—David Hill, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
The species also adds to other related animals found in northeastern and central Africa, suggesting dyrosaurids were widespread during this time period, and this region may actually be where the group originated, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
The negative effects start to build on themselves very rapidly and the collateral damage becomes more widespread, said Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for widespread
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Reuters, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
But regulation was meant to bring normalcy and order to what was once considered an illicit, though widespread, activity.
—David Hill, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
The species also adds to other related animals found in northeastern and central Africa, suggesting dyrosaurids were widespread during this time period, and this region may actually be where the group originated, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
The negative effects start to build on themselves very rapidly and the collateral damage becomes more widespread, said Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for widespread
Cite this Entry
“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widespread. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
widespread
adjective
wide·spread
ˈwīd-ˈspred
1
: scattered or found over a wide area
widespread interest in the election
2
: spread out over a wide area
widespread wings
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