as in infectious
exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others
spreading enthusiasm that got our club rolling again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in disseminating
to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people
spread the news!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in applying
to put a layer of on a surface
we spread the fertilizer over the lawn evenly until it was fully covered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in circulating
to become known
once news of the war's end had spread, spontaneous celebrations broke out everywhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in transmitting
to cause (something) to pass from one to another
living conditions that help to spread chicken pox
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in separating
to go or move in different directions from a central point
the walls of the old barn spread under the weight of the snow on the roof
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in increasing
to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number
dissatisfaction with the new administration is spreading rapidly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of spreading
Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 20 June 2026
Migrating birds may also be a culprit for spreading the virus, Clifton said.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
Within hours, Osito was appearing on international broadcasts and spreading across social media, transforming the bicycle-riding dog into one of the World Cup’s most charming viral stars.
—ABC News, 19 June 2026
The upper stage from a commercial Chinese rocket that launched last week has broken apart in space, spreading debris in a heavily trafficked part of low-Earth orbit home to the International Space Station and a significant portion of SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, Ars reports.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 June 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
However, La Ruche takes a different approach and, rather than spreading its limited floorspace across a conventional layout, stacks its living spaces vertically like a tower.
—New Atlas, 19 June 2026
One is a ball of energy, spreading joy and excitement with every announcement on set.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 June 2026
The effort decided to focus on spreading tiny reflective silica microspheres on the ice.
—Buket Altınçelep, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
Verb
Gojko Culibrk Cellphone videos captured thatch-roof structures engulfed in fast-spreading flames across the beachside resort.
—Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 20 June 2026
Migrating birds may also be a culprit for spreading the virus, Clifton said.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
Within hours, Osito was appearing on international broadcasts and spreading across social media, transforming the bicycle-riding dog into one of the World Cup’s most charming viral stars.
—ABC News, 19 June 2026
The upper stage from a commercial Chinese rocket that launched last week has broken apart in space, spreading debris in a heavily trafficked part of low-Earth orbit home to the International Space Station and a significant portion of SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, Ars reports.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 June 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
However, La Ruche takes a different approach and, rather than spreading its limited floorspace across a conventional layout, stacks its living spaces vertically like a tower.
—New Atlas, 19 June 2026
One is a ball of energy, spreading joy and excitement with every announcement on set.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 June 2026
The effort decided to focus on spreading tiny reflective silica microspheres on the ice.
—Buket Altınçelep, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spreading
Adjective
-
Collaborating with the Centers for Disease and Control and the California Department of Public Health, county health officials are working with the above locations and agencies to identify potential close contacts who were exposed to measles during the infectious period.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
What else is going on A person with an infectious case of the measles likely visited San Francisco International Airport, a Bay Area county has warned.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Last month, Superior Court Judge Gassia Apkarian found that the ads violated California’s false advertising law by disseminating public statements about the disposal of property — specifically vehicle donations — that were misleading by omission.—
Francie Ebert,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
-
The channels for packaging and disseminating information about the environmental and performance benefits of cotton apparel have evolved as well.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The lawyer of the future may increasingly resemble an architect, physician, or strategic advisor whose value lies not in generating work product but in validating, interpreting, and applying expertise.—
Joseph Andrew,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
But when a friend who turned 15 started applying for work, Njea had to be honest.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Britain has increasingly toughened its approach to tech companies in recent years, urging or forcing them to impose age verification, adapt their algorithms and, most recently, prevent children from circulating nude images taken on mobile phones.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
In a video circulating online, Wallen used the N-word while referring to one of his friends.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Built at Northrop Grumman’s semiconductor facility in Redondo Beach, California, the chip is designed to strengthen wireless signals while operating at frequencies capable of transmitting large amounts of data with low latency.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
-
That insight allowed the tracing of viral transmission, which in turn enabled him to prove that nurses in hospital maternity wards had been transmitting HSV between infants through a lack of hand-washing.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Dutch find separating goal to regain control With Japan in full control of momentum after the quick answer, the Netherlands parlayed a swing of possession into a winner in the 64th minute.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
-
Taking a calcium supplement or eating a calcium-heavy meal alongside iron can cut iron absorption by up to 50%, which is why nutritionists suggest separating the two by at least two hours.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
In the study, which analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health collected between 2021 and 2024, researchers say that despite numerous state-level bans on kratom across the nation, its use is at an all-time high and is increasing.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
These whales face increasing threats from climate change and human activity.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The young tender stems are also perfect for propagating.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
-
Aloe vera is a plant best reserved for propagating through offshoots.—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spreading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spreading. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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