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

This came on the heels of another round of tornadoes just four days earlier that leveled buildings and caused widespread destruction across the region. — Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 22 June 2026

This action ignited a widespread debate, leading MLB to issue warnings to the Giants players for policy violations. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

If the improvement is marginal, or if integration costs eat into gains, the math doesn’t add up — even if the automation is widespread. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 June 2026

About a third of France is under the national weather service’s heat red alert Sunday and temperatures are high nationwide, expected to reach 40 C (104 F) on Sunday in some areas, in a country where air-conditioning isn't widespread. — ABC News, 21 June 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