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

• broad
• deep
• expansive
• extended
• extensive
• far-flung
• far-reaching
• rangy
• sweeping
• wide
• wide-ranging

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 the gains stand to be widespread, with families of all stripes potentially benefiting from more options and lower fees. —Elliot Haspel, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2024

In South Africa, though, widespread poverty, ineffective police, and soaring metal prices have turned copper theft into a major industry. —Vince Beiser, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2024

Now the couple, backed by nonprofit Institute for Justice, is suing the state in a class action suit filed earlier this month claiming a widespread pattern of unlawful package seizures at the facility. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2024

Chilean productions are gaining widespread distribution and often involve international collaboration. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 18 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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