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.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of spread
Don Sweeney
april 6, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Respiratory syncytial virus is continuing to spread later into the spring than usual, driving most states to extend the window for RSV immunizations for eligible infants and toddlers.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
For a sampler of the most popular cold mezze dishes, Pera Mezze offers the chef mix mezze plate ($24), which comes with the eatery’s hummus, baba ganoush, two dolmades, a Cretan feta spread and muhammara.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread
Verb
The virus spreads mainly from contact with infected feces, WebMD said.
—Don Sweeney
april 6, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Respiratory syncytial virus is continuing to spread later into the spring than usual, driving most states to extend the window for RSV immunizations for eligible infants and toddlers.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
If bitten, Dowd advises snake bite victims to remain calm, limit movement to slow the spread of venom and call 911 immediately.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
For a sampler of the most popular cold mezze dishes, Pera Mezze offers the chef mix mezze plate ($24), which comes with the eatery’s hummus, baba ganoush, two dolmades, a Cretan feta spread and muhammara.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Verb
-
The tragedy is that these supports are not prioritized, therefore not widely disseminated.—
Lynn DeWoskin Covarrubias,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 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,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That means many rules of the road for cars also apply to equines.—
Nick Sullivan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of making the case that a city’s environmental review was inadequate, residents will now be more often forced to argue that CEQA even applies at all.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Scholars didn’t confirm Bambaataa’s actual birth name until 2016, when oral testimonies circulated about his abuse allegations.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, has also been the subject of death hoaxes in the past, including in 2018, when a fake article reporting his death circulated online.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
She is charged with one count of illegally communicating or transmitting national defense information, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison if convicted.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
But deep below, vibrations ripple through the frozen plain, transmitting the movements of Earth’s tectonic plates—and scientists now have a formidable new set of tools to listen in with.—
Vanessa Bates Ramirez,
Scientific American,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Forever Goldy® Arborvitae tolerates full sun to part shade or dappled sunlight but will produce the best color in full sun.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s shag looks effortlessly cool parted to the side and roughed up with a texturizing spray.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The list of measures in the statement touches on ties that China had suspended in recent years as tensions increased.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Crews also removed a wooden timber debris screen in front of one of the dam's gates to help increase water flow through it.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This eye-catching quilt set offers two stylish looks in one thanks to its reversible design.—
Jacquelyn McGilvray,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Add a garden-fresh touch to your bedroom with this elegant Laura Ashley quilt.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In millions of American homes, while parents were making dinner or paying bills, their kids were in another room scrolling social media and talking to chatbots.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Cap off your trip with dinner in The Gulch, an upscale dining and shopping hub.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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