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
The war displaced most of the Palestinian population of more than 2 million, left large parts of the territory in rubble and created widespread shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies asGaza’s border crossings — all but one controlled by Israel — were shut.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
According to a new report, this widespread opposition to data centers is bearing more real-world results than ever.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 14 June 2026
If left untreated, the illness can progress to widespread muscle weakness and paralysis, potentially affecting breathing and requiring intensive medical care.
—Victoria Forster, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
While widespread flooding is not expected, localized street flooding could occur where the heaviest storms repeatedly move over the same areas.
—Scott Withers, CBS News, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for widespread
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Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
According to a new report, this widespread opposition to data centers is bearing more real-world results than ever.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 14 June 2026
If left untreated, the illness can progress to widespread muscle weakness and paralysis, potentially affecting breathing and requiring intensive medical care.
—Victoria Forster, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
While widespread flooding is not expected, localized street flooding could occur where the heaviest storms repeatedly move over the same areas.
—Scott Withers, CBS News, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for widespread
Cite this Entry
“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widespread. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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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