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
Current BiographyExamples 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
Davies' idiosyncratic songwriting combined with cofounder and singer Roger Hodgson's distinctive voice made for several bestselling albums, chart-topping singles, and a legacy that sees Supertramp songs used widely in film, television, and beyond.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
Jeanty is widely viewed as a potential breakout candidate right off the bat, and Mostert was added for veteran insurance.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Approximately 50% of people infected with Ebola die of the extensive hemorrhaging the disease causes, although that figure varies widely depending on the strain and the available medical care.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
It has been widely commented that one of the outcomes of the severe disruptions during the pandemic (2020-2022) was a general improvement in the management of supply chains and positioning for greater resilience.
—George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for widely
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.
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
Jeanty is widely viewed as a potential breakout candidate right off the bat, and Mostert was added for veteran insurance.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Approximately 50% of people infected with Ebola die of the extensive hemorrhaging the disease causes, although that figure varies widely depending on the strain and the available medical care.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
It has been widely commented that one of the outcomes of the severe disruptions during the pandemic (2020-2022) was a general improvement in the management of supply chains and positioning for greater resilience.
—George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for widely
Cite this Entry
“Widely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widely. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share