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widely

adverb

wide·​ly ˈwīd-lē How to pronounce widely (audio)
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 day is widely celebrated by nonprofits and charities, encouraging people to contribute to their causes. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025 However, the average BNPL loan balance is about $760, according to Morgan Stanley, and this number varies widely depending on household income. Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 1 Dec. 2025 Best New Balance Deals New Balance is widely loved by athletes, frequent fliers, and fashionistas alike, thanks to the brand’s massive assortment of cute, comfortable walking shoes. Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2025 Lou Nanne welcomed all of the current and former players and acknowledged Murray Williamson, the former Gophers standout who coached Team USA in two Olympics and is widely credited with helping start the first World Junior tournament 50 years ago. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 30 Nov. 2025 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 4 Dec. 2025.

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