1
as in to disseminate
to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people
spread the news!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
3
as in expansion
a wide space or area
a vast spread of land just waiting to be settled
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
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
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
Helen Branswell, STAT, 11 May 2026
Hantavirus is typically not spread from person to person, with transmission considered rare and generally limited to close-contact situations.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 11 May 2026
ABC News, 12 May 2026
The spread of scams on Facebook is a burden not only for seniors but also for their families, said Marissa Garcia, who lives with her 79-year-old grandmother in Las Vegas.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread
Verb
Though Descalzo cautioned that the possible role of saunas in transmission is still just a hypothesis, the bacterium is known to spread more efficiently in humid settings.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 11 May 2026
Hantavirus is typically not spread from person to person, with transmission considered rare and generally limited to close-contact situations.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 11 May 2026
Noun
Awan stressed that the probe into the origin is still early, and the most important thing that public health officials need to do is focus on containing the spread.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
The spread of scams on Facebook is a burden not only for seniors but also for their families, said Marissa Garcia, who lives with her 79-year-old grandmother in Las Vegas.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 12 May 2026
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, or its parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
-
Hamas was filming the crimes as they were being committed and disseminating footage online.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Some portion of eligible people are probably discouraged from applying at all, believing the lottery system to be rigged or pointless.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
Exclusions include clearance items and gift cards, and the discount is applied to the subtotal before tax and shipping/handling at checkout with the promo code.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Videos of the interactions have circulated on social media and were shown on local TV news reports.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
Chu also pushed back against anti-Asian sentiment that quickly began to circulate online and in some media outlets.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Bird flu can be transmitted from birds to humans through close contact with infected animals, such as poultry, wild birds, and dairy cattle.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
Research money to study the only hantavirus transmitted from person to person — the same strain that broke out on the cruise ship — dried up.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
To complement her classically chic ensemble, Apple wore her hair straight and parted in the middle (reminiscent of her mom's signature style) along with smoky, winged liner and a rosy lipstick shade.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
The sides parted on good terms, and Morey is expected to seek other NBA front-office opportunities in the future.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
But ultimately, Ayton needs to increase his scoring at the rim, Redick said.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
-
His most fulfilling moment was when the fourth calf was born in the wild last year, an indication that the bongos are thriving in their native habitat and that their population will certainly increase.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Superior temperature regulation, moisture control, and durability are a few of the reasons why linen ranks supreme in the bedding world, and this European linen box quilt is backed by nearly 1,000 Quince shoppers who gave it a five-star rating.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2026
-
The Baywood quilt has two slightly different personalities.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Plus, the addition of a cuff adds a more polished aesthetic that prevents you from looking frumpy at the office or dinner.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
Both restaurants do solid business, although Kinu Sushi Bar only opens for dinner.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
