BROAD Synonyms: 209 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'broad' different from other adjectives like it?

The words deep and wide are common synonyms of broad . While all three words mean "having horizontal extent," broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered. // broad shoulders

Q: Where would 'deep' be a reasonable alternative to 'broad'?

The synonyms deep and broad are sometimes interchangeable, but deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point. // a deep cupboard // deep woods

Q: When could 'wide' be used to replace 'broad'?

The words wide and broad are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wide is more common when units of measurement are mentioned, or when applied to unfilled space between limits. // rugs eight feet wide // a wide doorway

broad

adjective

ˈbrȯd

Definition of broad next

as in wide

having a greater than usual measure across an unusually broad expanse of water in the island-dotted lake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in extensive

having considerable extent her broad knowledge of American politics makes her a much-sought-after guest on talk shows

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as in obvious

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation gave them a broad hint that it was time to leave

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as in general

relating to the main elements and not to specific details a broad overview of the topic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word broad different from other adjectives like it?

The words deep and wide are common synonyms of broad. While all three words mean "having horizontal extent," broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered.

broad shoulders

Where would deep be a reasonable alternative to broad?

The synonyms deep and broad are sometimes interchangeable, but deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point.

a deep cupboard

deep woods

When could wide be used to replace broad?

The words wide and broad are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wide is more common when units of measurement are mentioned, or when applied to unfilled space between limits.

rugs eight feet wide

a wide doorway

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of broad When they were replaced by a central system in the 1970s, the county created DERM to replace the pollution-control office, giving it broad authority to enforce regulations that now included new national pollution laws under the Clean Water Act. —

Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026 Even though higher fuel prices may have only a temporary influence on inflation, or could even ease broader price pressures on net if consumers shift spending away from other areas and overall growth slows, the current context poses other risks. —

Howard Schneider, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 But when the study looked at a broader sample size of the more than 1,900 characters in those films, the results weren’t much better. —

Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026 That unpredictability is why Day believes Silver Alerts are part of a broader safety framework. —

Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for broad

Recent Examples of Synonyms for broad

Adjective

Pair it with wide-leg trousers and a blazer for dinner, tuck it into jeans for a casual afternoon, or layer it beneath a cardigan for cooler days.

— Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2026
In order to arrive at our eyes (or instruments), a signal has to go through a wide variety of environments.

— Big Think, Big Think, 6 Mar. 2026