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

as in wide

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

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in general

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

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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 The 2022 Freedom Convoy began over vaccine requirements for cross-border truckers but grew into a broader revolt against pandemic restrictions. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 The ceremony demonstrated the link between women’s economic empowerment and the prosperity, stability and security of broader communities. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 These are not middle-market companies seeking broader liquidity at a $1 billion valuation. — Jeff Jacobs, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Throughout the week, participating institutions will present exhibitions and special programming across New York, allowing audiences to appreciate art not only in the gallery districts but also in the broader city. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for broad

Recent Examples of Synonyms for broad

Adjective

There’s a wide array of highly capable performance cars available at this price point, many of which offer eye-watering output and acceleration figures.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Advertisement The protests are also occurring amid a wider crisis of political confidence in the country.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of wide

Adjective

California sought to adopt a price cap law this year as well, though the bill, which faced extensive lobbying from ticket resale platform StubHub, had failed.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Explain when your engagement is too extensive, when another type of provider may be a better fit and what responsibilities remain with the client.

— Dennis Kirwan, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of extensive

Adjective

Many players have obvious economic incentives to seek to extend their collegiate careers for as long as possible.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
The press release probably didn’t need to also say the company imbued it with distinctive character or charm; that’s quite obvious from the design.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of obvious

Adjective

There’s a distinction between general reasoning models, like LLMs, and the specialized AI biofoundation models like protein language models and protein structure prediction.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
Prior to this, Asian artists largely had to compete in the best global music performance category or the broader general pop fields.

— Jeff Benjamin, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of general

Adjective

In France, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally is leading presidential polls ahead of the 2027 election and has called for a sweeping overhaul of public broadcasting, including privatization.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
The Election Commission of India, an independent constitutional body, has sweeping powers to ensure that the polls remain beyond reproach.

— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of sweeping

Adjective

Down the block, Curtis walked around his neighborhood with the unmistakable countenance of someone who had just survived a disaster.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
The brass, the percussion, the unmistakable sound of banda, all carrying a piece of home.

— Luzdelia Caballero, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of unmistakable

Adjective

Avoiding it in the first place makes far more sense, even if the K3's additional hardware and energy requirements complicate the question of its overall environmental footprint.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
The overall bargain, however, laid the foundation for what has become a highly successful deterrence, reassurance, and nonproliferation regime.

— Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of overall

Adjective

Both have built much of their appeal on opposition to the political establishment, the promise to wish away budget constraints, and deep hostility toward the European Union.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Acting was his guiding passion, but his deep love for the avant-garde helped till the ground for the city’s theatrical renaissance that the 1984 Olympic Arts Festival catalyzed.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of deep

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“Broad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broad. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of broad

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