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
as in to expand
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area
let's spread the puzzle out on the floor and see what we've got
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of spread
Christopher Harris, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Robots map hidden blooms The Mississippi River plume spreads nutrient-rich freshwater across the Gulf’s surface.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
The Kings aren’t even favored to beat the Memphis Grizzlies in Monday’s game at FedExForum, but oddsmakers are expecting a close contest with a 2 ½-point spread as Sacramento tries to end a historic losing streak.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread
Verb
Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Robots map hidden blooms The Mississippi River plume spreads nutrient-rich freshwater across the Gulf’s surface.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
The upside participation is capped, of course, because one is long a call spread, but the downside risk is potentially larger if the stock is particularly hard hit following earnings.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
The Kings aren’t even favored to beat the Memphis Grizzlies in Monday’s game at FedExForum, but oddsmakers are expecting a close contest with a 2 ½-point spread as Sacramento tries to end a historic losing streak.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Noun
-
This three-piece Tommy Bahama quilt set delivers snuggly but cooling comfort, as it’s made from 100 percent cotton.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
-
And a lot of my favorite squares and pieces of that quilt were made by Black people and people from the diaspora.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Staff helped with bags as needed, called for taxis promptly, and always welcomed us back with a friendly smile upon returning from dinner or other outings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Minimal, low-profile, and finished with a subtle platform sole, these Pumas are the sneakers that go from museum-hopping to dinner reservations without missing a beat.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images A week after Meta committed to using millions of Nvidia’s processors to power its AI expansion, the social media company has inked another mammoth chip deal, this time with Advanced Micro Devices.—
Katie Tarasov,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
-
At the Port Authority Bus Terminal expansion, half a mile uptown, Staller trained his lens on giant tubes of steel rimmed with teeth—core drill sections, frosted with snow, like colossal ziti topped with mozzarella cheese—which a crane was hoisting into place.—
Nick Paumgarten,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For Schwartz, positive support from other businesses all over the country and across the political spectrum has kept him going through the criticism.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The All's Fair star dabbles in all shades of the blonde spectrum, including a darker caramel tone for a GQ event in 2023 and golden lengths that same year.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The workspace on the second floor is well designed, providing a healthy distance from the crowds.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Now, as Diggs’ contract merely clouds their roster-building crystal ball, Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf appear to be keeping their distance.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Throw blankets and coverlets add style and flexibility to any room.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
This coverlet features a matelassé weave in eight soft hues, adding warmth and lavish heft to any bedscape.—
Shoko Wanger,
Architectural Digest,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
After the Queen Mother’s death in 2002, her eldest daughter Queen Elizabeth inherited the piece, and since then, Kate has worn it to a Chinese state banquet in 2015, a charity gala in 2016, while on a state visit to Paris in 2017, and at the Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace in 2018.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Later Monday, the emperor hosted a palace banquet, attended by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and other top officials and members of the imperial family.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This is beautiful expanse on Table Mountain is home to 7,000 plant species, most of which are unique to this region.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
On Christmas morning my sister and I would arise at dawn and sit impatiently in front of the tree, waiting to open dozens of presents that had come in from across the Lemann family’s expanse of relatives, friends, and law-firm clients.—
Nicholas Lemann,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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