spread 1 of 2

Definition of spreadnext
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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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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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spread

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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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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 most disturbing tableau depicts Cassie as a baby, sucking on a pacifier and spreading her legs. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026 Illinois also has anti-cyberbullying laws and is among 46 states that have laws addressing the growing and embarrassing problem of deepfakes, spread usually by teen boys. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
Make an all-goat spread, exploring different styles and textures, with garnishes that evoke the pasture, says Jones. Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026 Others noted this spread had a slightly more textured feel to it. Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 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, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Nolte’s death certificate lists the underlying causes of death as encephalopathy, sepsis and disseminated Mycobacterium chimaera infection.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Conventional warfare, in which bombs are dropped, shipping channels are mined, and the Geneva Conventions apply more broadly, tends to be time-limited (even if the conflict endures for a long period of time).
    Sue Halpern, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Catcher Lauren Cauthen applied the tag on the strike from Gonzalez, who is committed to Washington.
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Mendoza ad will circulate on ESPN and on social media, the executive says – but not for very long.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The list of third-party sites and services the MCI tool is tracking was widely circulated internally and discussed on chat boards after a member of the Meta Superintelligence Labs, or MSL, sent a memo intended to assuage concerns about worker surveillance and privacy.
    Lora Kolodny,Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • One soldier is accused of aiding the enemy in wartime, transmitting information to the enemy, assisting contact with a foreign agent and additional offenses.
    Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
  • What Jaafar does amounts to an elaborate impression instead of an interpretation, re-creating the voice and the famous choreography and otherwise staring blankly into the middle distance when called upon to transmit emotions.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • If Yahweh, who delivered Israel from bondage and parted the Red Sea, intervenes too soon, some of us will be denied that choice (parable of the wheat and the tares).
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Citing limited progress, the Joint Development Authority composed of the city and county parted ways with master developer Alatus last June, inspiring Alatus to file legal action against the partnership last July.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Water testing has been temporarily increased to once a month at the Oceanside Harbor after someone reported seeing a suspicious liquid dumped from a boat.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • This sprawling, unchecked population growth just increases water demand.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In the living room, a Navajo blanket from Shiprock in Santa Fe hangs above the sofa, and in the bedroom, an antique patchwork chintz quilt covers the bed.
    Anne Hardy, Architectural Digest, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Plus, the diamond quilt pattern and piped edging give it a classic, elevated look.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Adam Scott dresses up for his dinner at Yamashiro in Miami on April 17.
    Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
  • After a Sunday matinee last month, Christopher and I had dinner a few blocks away at a bistro his wife, dancer Jennifer Locke, recommended.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

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