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

But experts rejected the notion of widespread visa abuse among the groups that would be affected by the change. —Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 14 Nov. 2025

France pushed to speed up the implementation of import fees, arguing that the flood of goods was overwhelming customs systems, resulting in undervaluation of products and widespread noncompliance with European safety rules. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025

Bongon is a resident of the Philippines where a super typhoon Fung-wong made landfall just as the COP30 talks were getting underway early this week bringing widespread flooding and damage. —Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

Lisa Nandy, a Labour MP and culture minister, defended the broadcaster in Parliament this week, highlighting its importance at a time of political polarization and widespread misinformation. —NPR, 14 Nov. 2025

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