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

The government actually deported more than six hundred and seventy-five thousand people, but getting just to that number involved broad and violent sweeps and the expulsion of people who were in the country legally, actions that led to widespread protests. —Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026

The groundbreaking comedy-variety series ran for 11 seasons, earning widespread acclaim along the way. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026

Damage to homes, two deaths, injuries and widespread power outages were reported in Runaway Bay and Springtown on Saturday night as a round of severe storms passed through North Texas, officials said. —Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Apr. 2026

The price of jet fuel, which has roughly doubled since the start of the year, is a major factor behind the widespread fare increases. —Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026

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