spread 1 of 2

Definition of spreadnext
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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

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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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3
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
Printed in Exeter, New Hampshire, just days after the Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776, the document was intended to spread news of American independence throughout the American colonies. Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 3 July 2026 The visit created a stir as word spread that the budding star was on campus. Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
Noun
The spread happened for a few reasons, Scott said. Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 22 June 2026 However, Indy covered the spread twice, and Caitlin Clark didn't play in any of those games. Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Verb
  • News of the rout was not widely disseminated for more than a week and shook the confidence of a country celebrating its centennial.
    New York Times, New York Times, 28 June 2026
  • 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, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Wiener asked for amendments to the bill during the bill’s review and in the committee meeting, including that the lifetime ban only be applied to Tier 3 members.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • The ruling establishes the legal standard going forward and does not change the law that applied previously.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • That same night, screenshots of her using slurs in videos and in messages were circulating online, per USA Today.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • Panic inside buildings Videos circulating on social media showed people rushing out of buildings in the capital, while some users reported partial collapses and damage to structures.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • In the clinical setting, Busbee said, physical therapists use different size electrodes for various parts of the body, attached to a machine that transmits an electrical current to the electrodes.
    Diana Anos, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • SpaceX is set to build a new economy in low Earth orbit, expanding its current Starlink telecommunications constellation and adding orbital AI data centers and even wirelessly transmitted solar power from space.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Your father strides into the dining room, harried, shiny black hair parted to one side, his fingers buttoning the cuffs of his starched white collared shirt.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
  • The series recently parted ways with creator Chad Feehan.
    Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • The state also has goals, including some that have been in place since 2012, that set declining limits on smog-causing pollutants and required automakers to sell increasing percentages of electric and hybrid vehicles through 2025.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • The news came a day before Liz reported on Hong Kong’s beleaguered cinema market finally having an upturn, with overall box office revenues increasing by 25% thanks to a strong line-up of local and Hollywood releases.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • Made up of sharp angles and straight lines, the quilt and its matching shams have a look that strikes the right balance between classic and contemporary.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 27 June 2026
  • The quilt also comes with two matching 20-x-36-inch pillow shams.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Yvonne and Nick’s disastrous wedding dinner is the day the cast went from nobodies to actual practitioners of the reality-television arts and sciences.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 1 July 2026
  • Without it, the experience risks drifting into the broad category of pretty resort dinner.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.

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