spread 1 of 2

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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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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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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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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
In this case, the ransomware spread to the Asahi Group's servers, prompting the company to shut down its IT operations to contain the threat. Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025 The curse is a vengeful spirit that possesses a person in a powerful rage before claiming their life and spreading to another victim. Caitlin White, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
Ward added that habitat limitations are pushing birds to congregate and share space, which makes viral spread more likely. Evan Bush, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025 Think Outside The Bowl This dip will be the talk of your tailgate, potluck, or party spread, but there’s more than one way to enjoy it. Josh Miller, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 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, 2 Oct. 2025
  • This is part of a new way that chants are disseminated, via social media and spread throughout the match-going fanbase and beyond, which has a deeper impact, according to Webster.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In their new study, the team successfully applied the same time-reversal idea to optical clocks.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The new tax will apply to specific transactions made with cash, money orders, cashier’s checks or similar physical instruments.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • True to form, the country icon closed her message with humor, poking fun at an online hoax that circulated after her sister’s post.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
  • My helmet fan quit working before the start of the race, and about halfway through, my cool shirt quit circulating because everything was getting so hot that all the fans were tripping.
    Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The disease is transmitted by small flies called midge, and is not known to cause disease in humans.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Whether gilded onto walls in European estates or woven through tapestries now hanging in museums, this symbol of luxury transmitted a message of nuanced taste and cultural awareness.
    Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Substance actress, whose signature jet-black, silky and sleek hair is usually parted at the center, wore her tresses styled in a wavy blowout with teased bangs by Dimitris Giannetos.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The actress wore her gray hair in curls and parted down the middle, keeping her makeup subtle, except for bold red lipstick.
    Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That, alongside Newcastle’s desire to spread the fee over multiple years (whereas Como were going to pay in one lump sum), led to Milan increasing their asking price.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Milwaukee is not alone in seeking to implement or increase a wheel tax to raise local revenue.
    Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For ultraminimalists, this simple coverlet from Parachute imitates the look of a quilt without the fill, delivers on the work of a good throw blanket, and makes for a perfect year-round bed linen on account of its weight.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Amazon has a reliable quilt that comes in dozens of colors, from a soothing light blue to a bright autumn orange.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Presented by Capital One, the collaboration dinner with Chef Amosu and Oyediran took place at Platform by the James Beard Foundation at New York City’s Pier 57 on September 30th, 2025.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Eating salmon for breakfast or dinner, or with certain types of foods, may enhance omega-3 fatty acid benefits.
    Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

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