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 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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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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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
At the time of diagnosis, the cancer was localized and hadn’t spread, giving Lizzy a 70% survival rate. Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 19 July 2025 Large media accounts like Pop Crave and Pop Base spread the incident to millions of followers on X, and social media posts have reported that the Astronomer CEO is the man in the video. Michael Loria, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Noun
Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so emptying water from birdbaths, rain barrels, toys and flower pots at least once a week can also help limit the spread. Katie Langford, Denver Post, 17 July 2025 Last year, a 2.8-acre spread in the town hit the market for $12.5 million. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Verb
  • Apple leaks and rumors are so common that there’s an entire media ecosystem to track and disseminate them.
    Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 18 July 2025
  • When projects are costly, urgent or time-specific, independently replicating them prior to disseminating results is often not feasible.
    Amanda Kay Montoya, The Conversation, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • In 2019, some homeowners mounted a campaign to rescind a designation applied to a triangle of blocks bounded by Dade Boulevard, Meridian Avenue, 17th Street and Lenox Court.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 25 July 2025
  • The majority of interns admitted go on to apply to MBZUAI’s graduate programs after working on projects in health care, language processing, and robotics.
    Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Video footage and photos of him being taken into custody were widely circulated on social media, given the nature of the arrest and the circumstances surrounding it.
    Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • Fan videos quickly circulated online, capturing the crowd's excitement at the surprise appearance.
    Julia Moore, People.com, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Sideline communication will be handled by a custom mic transmitted over Verizon Business’ Private Wireless Solution.
    Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 19 July 2025
  • Dengue fever is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which thrive in warm, humid conditions.
    Matthew Binnicker, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • The clouds truly began to part, however, when Antony and Josephine gave Baser some advice that would go on to change the course of her career.
    Sophie Williams, Billboard, 25 July 2025
  • Martin, who is forty years old, was dressed like a Backstreet Boy, with a plaid shirt worn open over a tank top and wide-legged jeans, his short light-brown hair parted down the middle.
    Emily Witt, New Yorker, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Decades of research and studies in agriculture have increased production across all crops in the U.S., said James, and cannabis can adopt those same technologies.
    Julie Weed, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • The top reason students opt not to pursue higher education is cost, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board states, though having a degree can drastically increase earnings.
    Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • Learning more about Tubman’s heroism, including the River Raid, inspired Towns to produce a series of Tubman quilts, two of which are in the show.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • Featuring knit and crochet items, baby quilts, floral arrangements, jewelry and wooden crafts.
    Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • Welcomed aboard with a chilled glass of white Port, settle in for your first dinner: crispy crab cakes, veal sirloin, and mini cheese boards, or nightly Viking staples—think Caesar salads and juicy Angus ribeye.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • But the drama spikes when Andy circles back to the infamous gun mention at the bank dinner.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 20 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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