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

Reporting dead birds can help track where the virus is spreading. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

The beginning of the fire was widely mistaken as a special effect put on by the pop group performing at the time, and the flames spread quicker than clubbers could realize what was happening. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Noun

Because the call spread structure was too expensive, utilizing a bullish put credit spread allows an investor to create an income stream off of the elevated premium in this high-flying stock. — Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026

Shortly after the outbreak, City Council Speaker Julie Menin lashed out at Martin and Mayor Mamdani for, in her view, not taking more proactive steps in stopping its spread. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing spread

• spread (out)