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
Even in areas not under its direct control, the widespread sympathy in rural areas allows JNIM to set up ambushes along the main roads and dominate the main supply routes into the capitals, especially in Mali.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
These events led to the continent’s first plague pandemic, resulting in widespread disease and death, as the Smithsonian reported.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
Concern about municipal tax increases has been widespread across the state this year.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Saturday said the agency had deep experience with the Andes strain of the hantavirus, offering assurance to the American public that there was low risk for a widespread outbreak.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for widespread
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Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
These events led to the continent’s first plague pandemic, resulting in widespread disease and death, as the Smithsonian reported.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
Concern about municipal tax increases has been widespread across the state this year.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Saturday said the agency had deep experience with the Andes strain of the hantavirus, offering assurance to the American public that there was low risk for a widespread outbreak.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 9 May 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 15 May. 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
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