spread 1 of 2

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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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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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as in to divide
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

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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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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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Examples 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
Here is the latest information from emergency officials: The fire had spread to more than 2,900 acres as of Tuesday evening. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025 The Los Angeles Fire Department also wrote that multiple homes are under immediate threat The Palisades Fire was reported around 11 a.m. local time and has quickly spread through the afternoon. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
Sam Beach, lead author of the paper published in Nature, told The Guardian this method could greatly impact the spread of disease if the team's plan works. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2025 Beijing’s handling of the initial COVID-19 outbreak is a striking example: the suppression of critical information, along with the silencing of whistleblowers, caused delays in the global response to the virus, contributing to its rapid spread beyond China’s borders. Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 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, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.
    David Keller, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Supporters of the group have also disseminated messages on Twitter, Facebook pages and other social media platforms, according to researchers.
    Alissa J. Rubin, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Additionally, there is a hardship provision that allows any establishment to apply for a waiver if compliance proves too burdensome.
    Michael Seilback, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The discussion came as Trump has threatened to apply a 25% tariff on Canada ahead of his return to the White House, with some Canadian CEOs discussing their own tariffs in response.
    Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • As news of the Village People's announcement circulated online, a number of social media users expressed their distaste for the group's change of tune.
    John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Tour: Rumors are circulating that Beyoncé might be preparing to tour again, this time to perform her Cowboy Carter music live.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The filing makes clear that the decision by Garland to not release the volume of the report involving the classified documents investigation was recommended by Smith himself when it was transmitted to Garland Tuesday evening.
    Pierre Thomas, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Whereas the original model could transmit through a maximum glass gap of 30 mm, the V2 can manage up to 36 mm.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • On Monday, the US government announced a new round of regulations on global AI chip exports, dividing the world into roughly three tiers of access.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2025
  • The number is calculated by dividing births in a year by the average population for the year.
    Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Research suggests high levels can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and arrhythmias, while also raising blood pressure.
    Angela Haupt, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Investment in women's health is increasing, from VC to private equity.
    Geri Stengel, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Featuring knit and crochet items, baby quilts, floral arrangements, jewelry and wooden crafts.
    Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Ivy Meeropol, who’s the granddaughter of Ethel Rosenberg and Julius Rosenberg, made a documentary called Bully Coward Victim, the words written about Cohn on the AIDS quilt.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This can look like berries in the morning with breakfast, and at least one cup of vegetables with both lunch and dinner.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 10 Jan. 2025
  • At lunch and dinner, sizable burgers — including an Impossible brand vegan burger — will share the stage with soups, salads and sandwiches.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near spread

Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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