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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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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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
As sports-betting apps have spread, there has been a definite uptick in public gambling scandals involving athletes. Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025 Scores of cancellations spread across the country as airlines implemented Duffy's order to reduce traffic. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
The city has invested in treating the groundwater and preventing the spread of PFAS, but that process is expensive. Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025 The ready-to-assemble holiday spread is available for $25, averaging about $5 per person. Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Nov. 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.
    Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The alert will be disseminated if the available information can help avoid further harm or accelerate apprehension of the suspect.
    Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Regional restrictions may apply.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Future research could explore whether similar biases apply to other visible traits, such as race or disability.
    Abby Frank, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Everything else was affected by its gravitational pull and drawn into the work of dilating it further—even the firms rumored to be at the farthest remove from the crudity, even negative emissions technologies and the market on which their credits circulated.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The President’s message, circulated among his 11 million followers and beyond, stood in direct defiance of a court order from last week.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Eventually, the Strategic Air Command amended the system to include a unique enable code that transmitted to the launch crew from a higher authority.
    Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Years ago, the county posted results quickly as they were transmitted via modems in the tabulators.
    Christina Hall, Freep.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Crawford, on the other hand, touted Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show bombshell hair; her honey-brown highlights softly waved and parted over the right side of her head.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Arianna, though, bore the extra weight of being parted from her own child.
    Natalia Paradies, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The impact of the government shutdown increased as the Senate repeatedly failed to advance legislation to end the funding lapse.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Last year, Reuters reported that the government was preparing to increase usage of crypto assets in its oil exports to overcome the US sanctions.
    Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Keep scrolling for 12 amazing Pottery Barn quilt deals going on right now—up to 40% off.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Laura Ashley Full/Queen Bedford Cotton Reversible Quilt Set Get two bedding sets in one with this reversible quilt from Laura Ashley.
    Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • For dinner, the creative tasting menu at Mexican restaurant Autor offers the chefs an opportunity to showcase their heritage, while Kengai’s Asian menu is inspired by the Japanese Izakaya tradition of sharing dishes.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Queen Letizia’s wardrobe selections for the state gala dinner on Tuesday night was a near-exact replica of the Spanish royal’s attire for the state banquet at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in April 2024, during the Spanish royals‘ state visit to the country.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.

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