1
as in to disseminate
to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people
spread the news!
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Relevance
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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
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3
as in to circulate
to become known
once news of the war's end had spread, spontaneous celebrations broke out everywhere
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4
as in to transmit
to cause (something) to pass from one to another
living conditions that help to spread chicken pox
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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
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6
as in to increase
to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number
dissatisfaction with the new administration is spreading rapidly
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1
2
as in dinner
a large fancy meal often accompanied by ceremony or entertainment
they really know how to put out a good spread
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3
as in expansion
a wide space or area
a vast spread of land just waiting to be settled
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4
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
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Cite this Entry
“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
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