BROADEST 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 Our work deals with the scientific evidence underlying medical interventions and the standards by which that evidence should be evaluated, not broader political or ideological debates. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026 Recent cases crumble under weight of scrutiny Hurtado-Cariaco’s story appears to be emblematic of a broader pattern – where government accounts of encounters with immigration agents crumble under the weight of later scrutiny. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 July 2026 Apple’s Declared Age Range API lets the operating system attest to a broad age range, with no birthdate and no document changing hands. — Ravi Iyer, Time, 18 July 2026 Like the broader romance genre, dark romance guarantees a happily ever after. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for broad

Recent Examples of Synonyms for broad

Adjective

The fires that devastated Collins are part of a wider wildfire emergency unfolding across Canada, where 889 active fires were spreading as of Thursday night, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Scotland set up in a 5-4-1 with Ryan Christie and John McGinn timing when to jump from their wide midfield positions to press the centre-backs and trap their build-up play.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 18 July 2026

Definition of wide

Adjective

Leading firms are actively recruiting professionals with extensive client-side experience to enhance service delivery.

— Will Johnson, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Burke’s lawyers sought to expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, questioning why investigators had not conducted more extensive testing, including DNA analysis, on certain items found in Burke’s home or on the exterior of his Tesla.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026

Definition of extensive

Adjective

Happy Gilmore is another obvious inspiration (even without the Netflix of it all) whenever Lonnie throws his clubs, talks to his ball, and calls on fans to chant his name before taking a swing.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
That particular prompt may have been rejected for an obvious reason, though.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026

Definition of obvious

Adjective

With Robertson in the lineup heading into training camp, general manager Jim Nill now has some options.

— Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 22 July 2026
With multiple companies able to utilize general intelligence similarly, what will differentiate your firm from another will be the ability of your model to understand the work that needs to be done.

— TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of general

Adjective

Hiring Epstein as president of baseball operations after the 2011 season led to sweeping changes.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Health effects from inhaling wildfire smoke But the effects are sweeping, said Hayden, who has developed real-time mapping of mortality estimates from wildfire smoke.

— Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 18 July 2026

Definition of sweeping

Adjective

Meanwhile, Vogue’s beauty editor-at-large, Arden Fanning Andrews, is a mineral sunscreen loyalist, while senior beauty and wellness editor Margaux Anbouba prefers an SPF with an unmistakable glowy finish.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 17 July 2026
Generations of locals have grown up on its signature franks — split down the middle, grilled in a secret sauce, and served from an unmistakable pagoda-style stand.

— USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Definition of unmistakable

Adjective

Although the World cup probably boosted overall economic activity in the host cities, the games coincided with the Iran war, which raised consumer prices and sapped some demand, noted Joe Brusuelas, chief US economist for RBS.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
And Rodri received the Golden Ball award as the World Cup’s best overall player.

— Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of overall

Cite this Entry

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“Broad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broad. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of broad

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