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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 Nearly every other mainstream storage vendor bundles S3 capabilities together with broader file services. Steve McDowell, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 Yet others in the banking industry said its risk of losing its footing in Washington goes beyond crypto, involving broader challenges from Trump-era shifts in the government’s political, social, and environmental agendas. Rachel Witkowski, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2025 While the Earth system is unfathomably complex, Mills has been able to reproduce the broad trajectory of our climate over the ages by turning just four knobs — each of which modulates the carbon dioxide budget. Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025 Advertisement Starmer is also pressing to lock in the details of a new trade pact that could give British exporters broader access to American markets while protecting politically sensitive industries. Nik Popli, Time, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for broad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broad
Adjective
  • Beyond this, the risks to personal and business privacy posed by the unpredictable way chatbots store and handle our data are challenges that wider society will need to address.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Chicblooms Wide-Calf Slouchy Suede Block-Heel Boots Available in 10 colors, these suede boots come in sizes 6–11 with extra wide calves for a comfortable fit.
    Emily Weaver, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Add in the possibility of more extensive – and costly – work such as bridges, crowns, extractions or implants, and the anxiety can grow even stronger.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Since marrying Horace at the end of Episode 1, Kimmie has conducted extensive research on Beauty in Black and has been under the mentorship of her husband, who is still alive and currently in Italy, undergoing experimental cancer treatment.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And a soft implant can be the best option to avoid an obvious edge.
    Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • That’s because your liver won’t give you obvious clues that say there’s a MASH up going there.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The wind and current was such that, as the plane flew over us and dropped the bales of cocaine, the cargo would theoretically stay in the general area between where I was stationed in the Mako and where our mothership was anchored.
    Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
  • In general, why should moist soil be a problem for plants if water is so crucial to their growth?
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There are no hard and fast rules regarding the frequency of sweeping, as the floor care needs of each home depend on several different factors.
    Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Alongside this, large-scale genetic studies have revealed sweeping changes in the human brain that are not seen in other mammals.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There is a deep respect for the brand’s heritage throughout the collection, but also an unmistakable drive to modernize, internationalize, and individualize the designs for today’s and tomorrow’s audience.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The mood on the factory floor was unmistakable.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The disk-like shape allows more devices to be housed in a smaller area, making the overall package smaller and lighter.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The White House's budget request for fiscal year 2026 calls for a 25 percent cut to NASA's overall budget, and a nearly 50 percent reduction in funding for the agency's Science Mission Directorate.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Frequently, capital comes with deep industry roots — a former music executive backing a music startup, or a healthcare veteran funding a medtech company.
    Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Subprime borrowers and deep subprime borrowers are not likely to buy new cars.
    Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Broad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broad. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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