widely

adverb

wide·​ly ˈwīd-lē How to pronounce widely (audio)
Synonyms of widelynext
1
: over or through a wide area
has traveled widely
2
: to a great extent
departed widely from the previous edition
3
: by or among a large well-dispersed group of people
a widely known political figure
4
: over a broad range
… persons with widely fluctuating incomes.Current Biography

Examples of widely in a Sentence

Their products are widely available. a widely known political figure The books are widely read by adults as well as children.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Boston University Track and Tennis Center is widely considered one of the fastest indoor tracks in the world, known for producing several national and world records. Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026 But Newsom’s shadow diplomacy, widely seen as a pretentious distraction during the Biden years, has a different look at a moment of nativism and trade conflict in Washington. Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026 Joseph orchestrated back-to-back top-flight defenses and is regarded widely as a terrific leader. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026 For proof, just watch his awe-inspiring performance — widely considered to be one of the single greatest guitar solos in live music history — during the George Harrison tribute at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for widely

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of widely was in 1579

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Cite this Entry

“Widely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widely. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

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