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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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

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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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
At the same time, Fed policymakers worry that a slump in hiring this year could spread, though layoffs remain low. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025 Over the last several weeks, the SCHD has also shared information on the disease on social media in the hopes of preventing it from spreading. Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
The bullish debit vertical spread successfully captured the upside to a new 52-week high as sentiment improved around Gilead’s strengthening HIV franchise and expanding oncology portfolio. Tony Zhang, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025 Hybrid assaults can mean anything from cyber campaigns to the spread of misinformation and weaponizing migration. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Verb
  • Sages visited these buildings and disseminated Jewish knowledge to all members of the community, from the young to the old.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
  • 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.
    Lisa Kailai Han,Nick Wells, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The chain embellishment was applied to multiple styles, be in the short pump or a taller slingback, and stood out against different colors.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Use a mop to apply the bleach solution to the floors, covering a small area at a time and working in a figure-eight or side-to-side pattern.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In 2017, Posobiec circulated a post that falsely claimed that CNN had published and then deleted an article defending Bill Maher’s use of an anti-Black slur.
    Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
  • New polling conducted alongside the open letter, which was written and circulated by the nonprofit Future of Life Institute, found that the public generally agreed with the call for a moratorium on the development of superpowerful AI technology.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Any sensitive data collected, like credit card information, is encrypted and transmitted in a secure way, according to the hospital's privacy policy.
    Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • When cards were precisely positioned, the cameras could identify each card and transmit that information to the shuffle machines.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Her long blond ends drew a stark contrast to her faded brown roots, which were parted down the middle and brushed up in the back.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Even her ex, Tom Cruise, is, and the two didn’t really part on great terms.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The cuts come after Chegg in May laid off 22% of its workforce, citing increasing adoption of AI.
    Annie Palmer, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
  • With increasing space traffic from various nations and private companies, keeping tabs on potential collisions and threats becomes crucial.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Cut the fabric into squares and add them to your fabric or quilt stash, or make cozy bedding or a washable cover for a pet bed.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Some volunteers also get a quilt.
    Barbara Bry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And Bina remains as stridently anti-Joanne as ever, banning her from the Roklovs’ weekly Shabbat dinner and blaming her when Noah is passed over for the promotion.
    Judy Berman, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters Why let a $10 billion lawsuit get in the way of old friends having some chicken and gravy for dinner?
    Dan Mangan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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