Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

wide-ranging

adjective wide-rang·ing \ ˈwīd-ˌrān-jiŋ \
Updated on: 28 Feb 2018
See What's Trending Now See More Trending Words

Definition of wide-ranging

: extensive in scope : comprehensive
  • wide-ranging interests

See wide-ranging defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of wide-ranging

1707

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

wide-ranging Synonyms

Synonyms

broad, deep, expansive, extended, extensive, far-flung, far-reaching, rangy, sweeping, wide, widespread;

Antonyms

narrow;

Near Antonyms

circumscribed, limited, restricted;

Related Words

comprehensive, general, global, inclusive;

boundless, endless, infinite, limitless, unlimited;

capacious, commodious, roomy, spacious;

WIDE-RANGING Defined for English Language Learners

wide-ranging

adjective

Definition of wide-ranging for English Language Learners

  • : including many different ideas, actions, or things

Learn More about wide-ranging

  1. See words that rhyme with wide-ranging Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wide-ranging Spanish Central: Translation of wide-ranging

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up wide-ranging? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

mollycoddle

play

to treat with excessive attention

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. symbiote 'an organism living in symbiosis'

  2. charlatan 'faker or fraud'

  3. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  4. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  5. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

wide-ranging

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

  • image1926873504
  • Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

image278155226
All the Hits

8 obscure words for bodily harm

alt-5adf93a49b0b2
The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

"In point" only lives in this phrase.

alt-5adf5d017e6bf
‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

Watch closely and be amazed.

alt-5ade0f1ca7a0c
'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

The distinction is clear (now).

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
Spell It
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz
Add Diction
Add Diction

Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.

Play the game