Synonyms of spread

spread 1 of 2

verb

ˈspred 

1

as in to disseminate

to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people

spread the news!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disseminate
• propagate
• circulate
• broadcast
• transmit
• impart
• dispense
• diffuse
• communicate
• pass (on)
• convey
• radiate
• disperse
• scatter
• dissipate
• sprawl
• sow

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hold (in)
• hide
• conceal
• obscure
• veil
• secrete
• mask
• contain
• limit
• restrict
• cloak
• enshroud
• shroud

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

• apply
• smear
• lay
• sheet
• lay on
• coat
• layer
• plaster
• dab
• daub
• cover
• slather
• anoint
• carpet
• blanket
• surface
• bedaub
• overspread
• besmear
• overlay
• overlie
• mantle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expose
• uncover
• strip
• peel
• bare

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

• circulate
• get out
• unfold
• break
• out
• come out
• tell
• reveal
• get around
• develop
• get round
• get about
• leak (out)
• disclose
• spill
• transpire

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppress
• hide
• conceal
• disguise
• mask
• hush (up)
• secrete

4

as in to transmit

to cause (something) to pass from one to another

living conditions that help to spread chicken pox

Synonyms & Similar Words

• transmit
• give
• convey
• disseminate
• propagate
• communicate
• impart
• transfer
• conduct
• deliver
• diffuse
• transfuse
• turn over
• broadcast
• infect
• hand over
• contaminate
• surrender
• poison
• hand down
• hand on

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• catch
• contract
• come down (with)

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

• part
• divide
• separate
• diverge
• retreat
• scatter
• fork
• distribute
• branch (out)
• disperse
• dissipate
• dispel
• broadcast
• sow
• clear out
• disband
• recede
• distance
• bestrew
• break up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• join
• meet
• converge
• gather
• assemble

6

as in to increase

to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number

dissatisfaction with the new administration is spreading rapidly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increase
• rise
• swell
• expand
• accelerate
• multiply
• climb
• accumulate
• proliferate
• intensify
• wax
• roll up
• gain
• enlarge
• escalate
• build up
• mount
• appreciate
• jump
• boom
• snowball
• surge
• mushroom
• balloon
• heighten
• burgeon
• skyrocket
• rocket
• bulk
• peak
• inflate
• redouble
• puff (up)
• blow up
• distend
• crest
• crescendo

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• recede
• contract
• dwindle
• wane

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

• quilt
• coverlet
• bedspread
• counterpane
• puff
• clothes
• bedcover
• bedding
• comforter
• hap
• bedclothes

2

as in dinner

a large fancy meal often accompanied by ceremony or entertainment

they really know how to put out a good spread

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dinner
• banquet
• feast
• feed
• barbecue
• festival
• regale
• gala
• mess
• table
• roast
• party
• chow
• fry
• carnival
• buffet
• repast
• blowout
• festivity
• fete
• luncheon
• shindig
• smorgasbord
• clambake
• cookout
• luau

3

as in expansion

a wide space or area

a vast spread of land just waiting to be settled

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expansion
• expanse
• stretch
• length
• reach
• sheet
• distance
• extent
• plain
• breadth
• field
• waste
• depth
• scope
• territory
• spectrum
• sweep
• scale
• domain
• sphere
• range
• extension
• span
• void
• gamut
• compass
• amplitude
• magnitude
• latitude
• emptiness
• immensity

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

• spectrum
• range
• scale
• stretch
• gamut
• diapason
• width
• scope
• sweep
• pitch
• reach
• extent
• measure
• amplitude
• realm
• ambit
• compass
• dimension(s)

5

as in distance

the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects

a spread of nearly 100 miles between farms

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distance
• width
• spacing
• remove
• length
• stretch
• lead
• way
• height
• area
• space
• rise
• extent
• throw
• extension
• reach
• depth
• range
• scope
• volume
• breadth
• sweep
• altitude
• drop
• flight
• fall
• cast
• shot
• haul
• clearance
• berth

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of spread

Verb

Proponents of the measure say the current system of overseeing public works is ineffective because responsibility is spread among multiple officials, commissions, agencies and bureaus. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Having several housing options spread across 37 acres provides different price points and a low-density feel for new residents looking to move close to The Bowl at Ballantyne, Whitaker said. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026

Noun

The goal of the multi-state operation is to stop the spread of rabies westward and, along with other operations by the USDA, eventually eliminate terrestrial rabies from the United States. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

It’s typically eaten spread on scones or toast, injected into pastries or used as a layer in frosted layer cakes. — Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing spread

• spread (out)