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

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
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

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Brat redux reignited a fire that has since spread across music. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 May 2026 But roots can be deep and seeds can spread easily, making eradicating invasive plants difficult. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026
Noun
Warming waters, geographic spread, and increases in antibiotic resistance are increasing risks. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026 The Saturday spread is great too, served a la carte. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 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.
    Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 8 May 2026
  • Internal documents showed that the trial, which ran from 1996 to 1998, aimed to disseminate marketing messages through the medical literature and encourage clinicians to prescribe the drug off-label for conditions it was not approved for, such as neuropathic pain and bipolar disorder.
    Sukhun Kang, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • The ruling only applies to two companies and Washington state, but the decision could prompt more legal challenges.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 8 May 2026
  • This article was generated by the CA Earthquake Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • According to the filing, Kilcher learned the truth late last year when a broadcast video interview with Cameron began circulating on social media.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 May 2026
  • The footage, which has been circulated widely on social media, shows the object narrowly missing the animal as onlookers react with alarm.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • The virus has been identified as the Andes virus, the only type of hantavirus that can be transmitted from one person to another.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 8 May 2026
  • The most common strain is called Sin Nombre, which is not transmitted from human to human, the doctor said.
    Melissa Rudy , Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Following The Athletic’s reporting, the organization parted ways with Peter Soto, vice president of game presentation and fan experience.
    Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 6 May 2026
  • Ujiri and the Raptors parted ways in 2025 after 12 years.
    Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • The 76ers led for all but 31 seconds in the game, increasing a five-point halftime edge to 18 in the third quarter.
    Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
  • Her aunt plans to pressure the City Council to pass measures to increase building safety.
    Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • Over in Ohio, voters also added their stitch to the midterm primary quilt with crucial Senate and gubernatorial races looming in November.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 6 May 2026
  • Pick up this Laura Ashley damask quilt set, lightweight enough to use throughout spring and summer, and adds a pop of pattern to your bedroom.
    Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • The dinner was held under Queen Rania’s patronage, and the event honored the achievements of the nonprofit’s beneficiaries, expressed appreciation for its donors for their ongoing support, and aimed to secure funding for a new cohort of Jordanian youth to complete their higher education.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
  • On April 25, the alleged gunman, Cole Allen, armed with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives, attempted to charge a security checkpoint outside the dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
    Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 6 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 9 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on spread

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster