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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 Those layoffs are likely to wait until the Supreme Court weighs in on a lower-court judge’s decision to block the broader reorganization plan, Semafor reported this week. Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 28 June 2025 Nationwide effort to promote the arts In 1965, a National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities was established, and Fort Worth was a significant contributor to this broader nationwide effort to promote progress and scholarship in the arts and humanities in the United States. Sara Pezzoni, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 June 2025 Since then, military actions—from Korea and Vietnam to Iraq, Libya, and Syria—have typically been carried out under broad authorizations, U.N. resolutions, or purely at the president's discretion. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025 Last year, the court said formers presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, a decision that helped Trump avoid being tried for trying to overturn the 2020 election. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for broad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broad
Adjective
  • In wider terms, she was voted the best midfielder in the division.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 30 June 2025
  • While they’re commonly used in commercial and kitchen settings, utility carts can be used for a wide variety of purposes.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Despite an extensive search by the sheriff’s office using air assets, ground searchers and rope teams, Brinkmeyer was not found and a decision was made to end search efforts.
    David Chiu, People.com, 27 June 2025
  • This propulsive narrative is buttressed by extensive research documented in voluminous footnotes.
    Book Marks June 27, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Consolidation by the end of the decade The future of other brands is less obvious, but consolidation among the mainstream brands is likely before the end of the decade.
    Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The harmful consequences to the economy and food supply is obvious.
    Billal Rahman Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Performance Trade-Offs: Real-time applications face inherent constraints due to the computational overhead of symbolic reasoning, knowledge graph traversal and the general reduction in inference speeds compared to pure neural approaches.
    Anuradha Weeraman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The Contour Face is fabulous for those interested in general regeneration or alleviating signs of aging, but those with acne-prone skin should consider its Clear mask which utilizes blue light, clinically proven to kill acne-causing bacteria.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • One data point, one bad shooting performance, is no reason to draw sweeping conclusions.
    Derek Newton, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The spending package includes sweeping legislation and implements many of the president's campaign promises.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • The pattern is unmistakable: just as Enron triggered SOX, AI governance failures will trigger mandatory expertise requirements.
    Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The symbolism of the decision to target this base—the same one that U.S. President Donald Trump visited only two months ago during his tour of Gulf states, and one located in a country that maintains close ties to and shares an offshore gas field with Iran—is unmistakable.
    Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Riley Greene, the fifth overall pick in the 2019 draft, has led the way with a 2.6 bWAR (Wins Above Replacement per Baseball Reference).
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 28 June 2025
  • According to Toth, thick hair can be defined as a matter of overall density or of individual strand coarseness.
    Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • What people have not always had is either the awareness or deep enough pockets, which means FIFA should reduce prices and fill these stadiums.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • Sometimes people forget that L.A. and Southern California is a place with real people and a super deep and rich history of Black art.
    Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Broad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broad. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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