Definition of widenext

wide

2 of 2

adverb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word wide different from other adjectives like it?

The words broad and deep are common synonyms of wide. While all three words mean "having horizontal extent," wide is more common when units of measurement are mentioned, or when applied to unfilled space between limits.

rugs eight feet wide
a wide doorway

In what contexts can broad take the place of wide?

Although the words broad and wide have much in common, broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered.

broad shoulders

When is deep a more appropriate choice than wide?

In some situations, the words deep and wide are roughly equivalent. However, deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point.

a deep cupboard
deep woods

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of wide
Adjective
Coupang Play has built the widest premium sports offering in Korea. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026 The successful submission offers a proven path forward for the wider continent. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
Adverb
This year, with The Odyssey and Project Hail Mary representing the majority of Oscar-contending performances already in the mix, space is wide open for new contenders to catch fire during festival season and blaze all the way to the Oscars in March. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026 Notably, 26% of respondents said they could still be persuaded to vote for either candidate, leaving the race wide open. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wide
Adjective
  • ConnCORP, meanwhile, is spearheading First HAVEN, a broader $200 million redevelopment project in Dixwell.
    — P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, it is intended to become a broader technology ecosystem combining private companies, investment, research and development and military testing.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The 60-seat restaurant is known for its cooked-to-perfection aged steaks, seafood towers, classic cocktails and extensive wine list.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Despite the extensive search, investigators never found the gun, a Tipp City detective testified Monday during Flynn's murder trial in Ohio.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Some of the guests on board had upcoming bookings for the top-of-the-line (and priced like it) ship, though many remained quite fond of our Le Lyrial.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • So anyway, my artistic trajectory was going along quite nicely in Joy Division.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Sonorous jaws bristled with the thick chin hairs of your least-favourite grandmother.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • After making his final start on May 14, White was diagnosed with a left shoulder capsular sprain, which is a tearing or stretching of the thick tissue wrapping around his throwing shoulder joint.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Atmosphere is a sweeping romance between two pioneering female astronauts breaking into NASA in the early days of the shuttle program in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026
  • In the sweeping farmlands near the Central Coast, a seed supplier that cultivates peppers, vegetables and fruit was hit with more than two dozen pesticide safety violations, some of them serious offenses that caused health or environmental hazards.
    — Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Washington can’t stop talking about AI doom scenarios and the public backlash to data centers — but around the world, sentiment toward the fast-moving technology is much more nuanced.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Development teams are producing code faster, modernizing applications more rapidly and introducing new services at unprecedented rates.
    — Evgeny Gervis, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Like other Vionic shoes, these have a deep heel cup to stabilize the foot and ankle.
    — Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Such abandonment wounds are deep and destabilizing; the younger the child, the deeper the wound and the harder to form a sense of self and of value as an adult.
    — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • The flat seat design—with minimal padding—serves as a constant reminder of the KB998 Rimini’s racing heritage, and may not feel great for longer rides, but provides a perfectly stable platform to slide across on track.
    — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The outerwear pick has a slightly oversized fit that’ll pair perfectly with chunky sweaters, plus it’s made from a gorgeous faux-suede material.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 20 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wide. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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