spread 1 of 2

Definition of spreadnext
1
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
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

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

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2
3
4
as in spectrum
the distance or extent between possible extremes the spread of grades was from 15 to 79 on that quiz

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5

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
Verb
The same weather system is also fueling high winds across the Great Plains and causing wildfires to rapidly spread. Rob Marciano, CBS News, 18 May 2026 Chart created by the author The tripling of years on air for the prime time lineup is spread across many, but not all, genres. Ted Linhart, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Noun
Conversations move quickly and news spreads fast. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026 The geographic spread reflects how quickly the category is scaling. Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 19 May 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.
    Carter Braxton Worth, CNBC, 22 May 2026
  • Apkarian found that the ads, which have been on the airwaves for more than 20 years, violated California’s false advertising law by disseminating public statements about the disposal of property — specifically vehicle donations — that were misleading by omission.
    Francie Ebert, NBC news, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Some portion of eligible people are probably discouraged from applying at all, believing the lottery system to be rigged or pointless.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
  • Exclusions include clearance items and gift cards, and the discount is applied to the subtotal before tax and shipping/handling at checkout with the promo code.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Videos of the interactions have circulated on social media and were shown on local TV news reports.
    Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
  • Chu also pushed back against anti-Asian sentiment that quickly began to circulate online and in some media outlets.
    Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Bird flu can be transmitted from birds to humans through close contact with infected animals, such as poultry, wild birds, and dairy cattle.
    Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
  • Research money to study the only hantavirus transmitted from person to person — the same strain that broke out on the cruise ship — dried up.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • That drone morphs into a sea shanty–like melody, as if the clouds have parted and the waters calmed, giving you a stable place to stand after having to constantly adjust your footing.
    Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
  • Read on for Eric Kripke’s parting thoughts on The Boys, all episodes of which are now available to stream on Prime Video.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • Salah’s comments followed a limp 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa on Friday that increased criticism of Slot and questions about his future in the job.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • In Los Angeles, for example, the city spent more than 50 million dollars in 2021 on policing homelessness, yet unsheltered homelessness still increased.
    Shianne LeClaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • And in the primary bedroom, a Nickey Kehoe quilt exists in the same color family as the vintage rug but in a decidedly opposite pattern.
    Allison Duncan, Architectural Digest, 21 May 2026
  • Chapters, like quilt blocks, build on one another.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • There is not really a flushing toilet system, this is more festival style and not for everyone but a small price to pay for flexing your green credentials back at home over dinner.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026
  • Warm summer nights are made for backyard dinners and poolside hangs — not swatting flies away from your burger every five seconds.
    Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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