Synonyms of spread

spread 1 of 2

verb

ˈspred 

1

as in to disseminate

to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people

spread the news!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disseminate
• propagate
• circulate
• broadcast
• transmit
• impart
• dispense
• diffuse
• communicate
• pass (on)
• convey
• radiate
• disperse
• scatter
• dissipate
• sprawl
• sow

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hold (in)
• hide
• conceal
• obscure
• veil
• secrete
• mask
• contain
• limit
• restrict
• cloak
• enshroud
• shroud

2

as in to apply

to put a layer of on a surface

we spread the fertilizer over the lawn evenly until it was fully covered

Synonyms & Similar Words

• apply
• smear
• lay
• sheet
• lay on
• coat
• layer
• plaster
• dab
• daub
• cover
• slather
• anoint
• carpet
• blanket
• surface
• bedaub
• overspread
• besmear
• overlay
• overlie
• mantle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expose
• uncover
• strip
• peel
• bare

3

as in to circulate

to become known

once news of the war's end had spread, spontaneous celebrations broke out everywhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

• circulate
• get out
• unfold
• break
• out
• come out
• tell
• reveal
• get around
• develop
• get round
• get about
• leak (out)
• disclose
• spill
• transpire

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppress
• hide
• conceal
• disguise
• mask
• hush (up)
• secrete

4

as in to transmit

to cause (something) to pass from one to another

living conditions that help to spread chicken pox

Synonyms & Similar Words

• transmit
• give
• convey
• disseminate
• propagate
• communicate
• impart
• transfer
• conduct
• deliver
• diffuse
• transfuse
• turn over
• broadcast
• infect
• hand over
• contaminate
• surrender
• poison
• hand down
• hand on

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• catch
• contract
• come down (with)

5

as in to part

to go or move in different directions from a central point

the walls of the old barn spread under the weight of the snow on the roof

Synonyms & Similar Words

• part
• divide
• separate
• diverge
• retreat
• scatter
• fork
• distribute
• branch (out)
• disperse
• dissipate
• dispel
• broadcast
• sow
• clear out
• disband
• recede
• distance
• bestrew
• break up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• join
• meet
• converge
• gather
• assemble

6

as in to increase

to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number

dissatisfaction with the new administration is spreading rapidly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increase
• rise
• swell
• expand
• accelerate
• multiply
• climb
• accumulate
• proliferate
• intensify
• wax
• roll up
• gain
• enlarge
• escalate
• build up
• mount
• appreciate
• jump
• boom
• snowball
• surge
• mushroom
• balloon
• heighten
• burgeon
• skyrocket
• rocket
• bulk
• peak
• inflate
• redouble
• puff (up)
• blow up
• distend
• crest
• crescendo

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• recede
• contract
• dwindle
• wane

spread

2 of 2

noun

1

as in quilt

a decorative cloth used as a top covering for a bed

bought a brightly colored spread for summer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quilt
• coverlet
• bedspread
• counterpane
• puff
• clothes
• bedcover
• bedding
• comforter
• hap
• bedclothes

2

as in dinner

a large fancy meal often accompanied by ceremony or entertainment

they really know how to put out a good spread

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dinner
• banquet
• feast
• feed
• barbecue
• festival
• regale
• gala
• mess
• table
• roast
• party
• chow
• fry
• carnival
• buffet
• repast
• blowout
• festivity
• fete
• luncheon
• shindig
• smorgasbord
• clambake
• cookout
• luau

3

as in expansion

a wide space or area

a vast spread of land just waiting to be settled

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expansion
• expanse
• stretch
• length
• reach
• sheet
• distance
• extent
• plain
• breadth
• field
• waste
• depth
• scope
• territory
• spectrum
• sweep
• scale
• domain
• sphere
• range
• extension
• span
• void
• gamut
• compass
• amplitude
• magnitude
• latitude
• emptiness
• immensity

4

as in spectrum

the distance or extent between possible extremes

the spread of grades was from 15 to 79 on that quiz

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spectrum
• range
• scale
• stretch
• gamut
• diapason
• width
• scope
• sweep
• pitch
• reach
• extent
• measure
• amplitude
• realm
• ambit
• compass
• dimension(s)

5

as in distance

the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects

a spread of nearly 100 miles between farms

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distance
• width
• spacing
• remove
• length
• stretch
• lead
• way
• height
• area
• space
• rise
• extent
• throw
• extension
• reach
• depth
• range
• scope
• volume
• breadth
• sweep
• altitude
• drop
• flight
• fall
• cast
• shot
• haul
• clearance
• berth

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of spread

Verb

Some critics predicted Mohammed would use a trial as a platform to spread hateful views of America and its allies. — ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

Rooms The Standard, London has 266 rooms spread across nine floors, each one balancing comfort with character. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Noun

Per Bet Labs Sports, Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs are 0-10 against the spread when favored by at least 40 points. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 2026

The two-story spread spills open to reveal a great room surrounded by walls of Nano glass that blur the boundary between indoors and out. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing spread

• spread (out)