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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6

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
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
Texas lawmakers help secure nun's release As news of Ugboaja's detention spread, members of southern Texas’ congressional delegation called for the nun's release. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 July 2026 Corporate credit markets are currently priced for an exceptionally benign environment, with spreads near historical tights. Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 2 July 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
  • The relaxed fit keeps air circulating while the long skirt design creates an effortless silhouette.
    Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
  • The day after the ceremony, photos circulated online of an ivory handkerchief embroidered with lace that was handed out to the wedding guests.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 July 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
  • But the mom’s parting gift, a diary, provides opaque glimpses into her life with Alfonso in the mid-1980s.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • The body of her bouffant hair was parted over the left side of her head, with pieces tickling the top of her forehead.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 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 6 Jul. 2026.

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