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
Timea widespread erosion surface—C. B. Hitchcock
C. B. HitchcockExamples 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
The recent increase in reports may also be linked to advancements in technology and widespread camera use, prompting the question of whether these tools are amplifying the apparent surge.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
The discovery has captivated the community and sparked widespread speculation on social media, but authorities say the bones are not connected to any missing persons case.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
That effort comes after allegations of fraud involving day-care centers run by Somali residents in Minneapolis prompted a massive immigration crackdown in the Midwestern city, resulting in widespread protests.
—Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
That effort comes after allegations of fraud involving day care centers run by Somali residents in Minneapolis prompted a massive immigration crackdown, resulting in widespread protests.
—Maria Lisignoli, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for widespread
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.
Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
The discovery has captivated the community and sparked widespread speculation on social media, but authorities say the bones are not connected to any missing persons case.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
That effort comes after allegations of fraud involving day-care centers run by Somali residents in Minneapolis prompted a massive immigration crackdown in the Midwestern city, resulting in widespread protests.
—Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
That effort comes after allegations of fraud involving day care centers run by Somali residents in Minneapolis prompted a massive immigration crackdown, resulting in widespread protests.
—Maria Lisignoli, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for widespread
Cite this Entry
“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widespread. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
