1
as in to disseminate
to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people
spread the news!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in expansion
a wide space or area
a vast spread of land just waiting to be settled
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 spread
Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
The 2018 PyeongChang Games spread venues across Seoul’s northeastern coast.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
Central to this challenge is reducing the spread of disease and new outbreaks.
—Lily Peck, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread
Verb
Regenerative gardening expert Ren Elizabeth found out the hard way when her own mint began to spread all around her garden.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
The 2018 PyeongChang Games spread venues across Seoul’s northeastern coast.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
Dollar Tree's new Dubai Chocolaty cones are filled with pistachio and chocolate cream, inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate bars made with a rich pistachio and crispy kataifi (shredded phyllo) spread.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
Central to this challenge is reducing the spread of disease and new outbreaks.
—Lily Peck, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Verb
-
All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, or its parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In the days leading up to the walkout, Clifton and other student organizers disseminated flyers on social media inviting students to join in.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The task force is now applying that same regional coordination model to World Cup preparations.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
For nails and hair On the hair, rosehip oil can be applied to the ends, preferably diluted with a carrier oil like argon oil, to add shine and help control frizz.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In Lower Manhattan, the Fashion Week gossip tends to circulate in voice memos and Instagram DMs.—
Ashley Fetters Maloy,
Washington Post,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Talk of orbital data centers has circulated for years, largely as a speculative or long-term concept; but now, experts say, there is additional urgency as the AI boom is increasingly dependent on ever more power to support the training and running of energy-hungry AI models.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While farms have reported fewer cases this year, the virus is still highly contagious and transmitted through wild birds.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Russian MiG-31 interceptors flew over Estonia for about 12 minutes with transponders – onboard devices that automatically respond to radar signals by transmitting an aircraft’s identity and altitude, enabling air traffic control and air defense systems to track it – switched off.—
Frederic Lemieux,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The dark water will part in my presence.—
Chloe Wilson,
The New York Review of Books,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The room lit up and the crowd parted.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, Ukraine’s birth rate is collapsing, with increasing number of people struggling with fertility or putting off the decision to have children.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Climate mandates The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, like Eversource, says state climate mandates and policies are the main driver behind increasing utility bills in the Bay State, specifically naming the NetZero by 2050 climate mandate.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This three-piece Tommy Bahama quilt set delivers snuggly but cooling comfort, as it’s made from 100 percent cotton.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
-
And a lot of my favorite squares and pieces of that quilt were made by Black people and people from the diaspora.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Best of all, every breakfast, lunch, and dinner here is bookended with Moroccan tea, a ground green concoction infused with mint leaves and generously sized sugar cubes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Their $45 dinner menu offers eight choices for appetizers and six for entrees, including prime rib on a French roll with au jus and a truffle lobster melt and bisque.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
