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

a widespread erosion surface

—C. B. Hitchcock

Synonyms of widespread

• extensive
• broad
• wide
• sweeping
• deep

Examples 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

There was widespread concern in San Antonio last fall that a failure to approve a new arena could open the door for the Spurs to relocate to Austin. — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

In Pattinson’s case, his latest entries in the internet hall of fame also reflect how his online status has changed across his career, from a position of mockery to the widespread adoration on display today in numerous viral fan edits. — David MacK, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

The Hilton ad was produced by filmmaker Charles Curran — the same creator who released the Pratt ads, which attracted widespread attention for the Los Angeles mayoral candidate before he was eliminated in the June primary. — Grace Hase, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026

The space company’s chief executive, Dave Limp, confirmed widespread speculation that the problem started in one of the rocket’s seven BE-4 engines that power the vehicle’s first stage, Ars reports. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for widespread

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead

Kids 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