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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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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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
Cases have also been recorded in the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces and have spread across the border to Uganda. ABC News, 15 June 2026 So British officials spread the story that their pilots were eating large amounts of carrots to explain their sharp night vision, misleading the enemy into thinking diet, not technology, was behind the success. Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 15 June 2026
Noun
How far west the heavy rain threat spreads is still uncertain, which could mean the difference between significant flashing flooding in Houston or not much impact at all. Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 16 June 2026 Certainly, nothing in credit spreads for financials shows any pressure whatsoever and that sector usually shows concerns first. Steve Liesman, CNBC, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Verb
  • The infection progressed into sepsis, then disseminated intravascular coagulation, followed by hours of hemorrhagic shock.
    Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 18 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.
    Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Those rules govern which AI models Promise may use and what protections apply — effectively letting each client decide how heavily AI figures into the work.
    Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • Lower Manhattan became frozen beyond expectation, with subways stopping south of Canal Street, a border that had earlier applied only to cars.
    Amina Kilpatrick, NBC news, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • The family also claims the County failed to stop dangerous drugs from circulating inside the jail system.
    Gavin J. Quinton, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • Following the news breaking, rumors of infidelity on both sides began circulating on social media.
    Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Roughly 57 percent of locations were transmitted from there, followed by 18 percent transmitted from Hallaniyat Bay.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 June 2026
  • People who travel internationally or live in group settings are at higher risk of transmitting and acquiring infectious diseases.
    Luis Martinez, ABC News, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • The move also comes on the same day Angel City parted ways with head coach Alexander Strauss and traded rising star Kennedy Fuller to Bay FC.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
  • Instead of seeing that through, Sorsby put the controversy of him playing in 2026 to bed by parting ways with Texas Tech and entering the supplemental draft.
    Nick Harris June 18, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Baird added that interest in luxury homes has increased recently among SpaceX's mid-30s to early-40s employee base, according to California real estate agents.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 13 June 2026
  • Be careful when riding back downtown on a bike, as the hill notoriously increases cycling speed.
    Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • The Bee previously reported that attendees will be able to create quilt squares to form a community quilt that will later be presented to the Placer County Board of Supervisors.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
  • Even the smallest patch of green helps connect us to the larger ecological quilt.
    Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • Those add-ons ranged from dinner with Siwa for $150 to a movie and pizza night in her suite for $1,250.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 18 June 2026
  • Jin Lin Chinese restaurant on the third floor opens for lunch and dinner with a Cantonese menu.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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