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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 The federal government is also tightening its wallet, unleashing a broad cancellation of federal funding of foreign aid and other programs, especially those that highlight diversity, equity, and inclusion. Solcyré Burga, Time, 23 May 2025 Following the high-level talks in Geneva, Switzerland, earlier this month, both sides issued a rare joint statement to temporarily lower most tariffs on each other’s goods, while working toward a broader agreement. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 23 May 2025 Guanipa was detained as part of a broader operation that, according to Cabello, has led to the arrest of 38 individuals, including 21 Venezuelans and 17 foreigners. Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025 Malibu built a sewer before, but only after regional water quality officials prohibited long-term use of septic systems in a broad area centered on the Civic Center. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for broad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broad
Adjective
  • The show is set in 1972, when the cars were wide, the engines were big and the seatbelts were mostly decorative.
    Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 13 May 2025
  • Sturdy, dual-sided handles that are wide enough to grip with pot holders make transferring the cookware from the stove to the oven or table a breeze, too.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Right whales are identified by individual markings on their heads and bodies, with extensive photo catalogues managed by the New England Aquarium.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Drawing from her extensive experience in content development for award-winning productions and emergent networks, Luisa will guide participants through the end-to-end process of production, from concept development to distribution.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • The lesson is obvious for investors: always consider control systems.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • Upon seeing a photo of him, she was struck by their obvious physical resemblance.
    Carita Rizzo, People.com, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • When these systems break under the stress of abuse, neglect, or general incompetence, bad things happen.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 May 2025
  • The team’s new general manager Monica Wright Rogers meanwhile will spend this upcoming season evaluating talent for both the expansion and college draft as well as preparing for a historic free agency period next year.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Nissan on May 13 announced sweeping cuts across the company with plans to lay off another 11,000 employees and close more than a half-dozen plants across the globe.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • More so than Trump's deportations or sweeping government cuts, many now believe this could be it.
    Nik Popli, Time, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Beyond the physical abuse, Cassie endured a steady drumbeat of insidious threats that sent an unmistakable message: the violence could escalate at any moment.
    Lauren Hersh, New York Daily News, 21 May 2025
  • The unmistakable message: in Welch’s House of Representatives, Democratic moderates who think for themselves and question their own party’s orthodoxies are unwelcome.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • And this Elevation Plus Backpack, 30 percent off, continues to be our favorite backpack from Samsonite thus far, thanks to its expansion capabilities, durability, and overall comfort.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025
  • The mental health hospital, which received one of the largest cuts in the overall bill, is likely to be at the center of discussions.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Simone is damaged and buoyant simultaneously, and the young actress shows a deep maturity in the portrayal of the character's complex mental and emotional state.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • But according to recent discoveries made at volcanoes in Hawai’i, trace amounts of some of those coveted metals are seeping up from the planet’s deepest reaches.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Broad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broad. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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