spread 1 of 3

1
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 divide
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

2 of 3

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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2
3
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

spread (out)

3 of 3

verb (2)

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

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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
The Gleason grading system, or Gleason score -- which usually ranges from 6 to 10 -- refers to how likely the cancer is to advance and spread, but does not predict the outcome. Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 19 May 2025 Manhunt spreads to multiple states Authorities initially said 11 inmates had escaped, but later corrected the number to 10 after discovering one man had been moved to another cell before his records were updated. Holly Yan, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
Noun
So, try the spread at Trinquet, a cozy restaurant in the Old Town, the historic center where some facades date back to the medieval period. Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2025 The 28-year-old told People magazine at the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swim Launch Party in New York City that her former flames have been keeping a close eye on her steamy spread. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Noun
  • The subtle pleat pattern gives the ruffle a refined character that pairs exceptionally well with quilts and starchy white duvet covers.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 May 2025
  • Keep scrolling for more of our favorite lightweight and cooling quilts and comforters from Amazon, starting at $30.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • Black-tie dinners with the wealthy are nothing new for Trump.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • He’s known as a showman, having previously spent $4.6 million on a dinner with Warren Buffett (which Sun canceled and rescheduled) and $28 million to join Jeff Bezos aboard Blue Origin’s first crewed mission (though Sun had to drop out).
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • When scaling disbursed teams, considerations include attracting and retaining the best talent to drive expansion.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • The series, produced by BBC Studios India Productions in collaboration with All3Media International, represents Prime Video India’s expansion into high-profile reality programming.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • But critics across the political spectrum, including some Republicans, say the arrangement raises serious legal and constitutional questions—especially given Trump’s private business ties in the region and the shadow of past emoluments controversies.
    Nik Popli, Time, 12 May 2025
  • Fans have interpreted Murderbot as asexual, gender-fluid and on the autism spectrum.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Our aim was to collapse the distance between the audience and the story.
    Jeryl Brunner, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • Maintain a safe distance from water, wet items, and metal objects.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • He was later accompanied by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to a state banquet dinner.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 16 May 2025
  • The induction banquet will take place at the Watsco Center, where Rice played.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The debris flow had barreled more than a mile down the mountain, leaving an expanse of mud and rocks.
    Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 19 May 2025
  • Given its expanse into a head-to-toe resort wear outfitter that even trades in unstructured jackets and knitted trainers, how does the label continue to grow without losing sight of its original purpose?
    Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Specifically, researchers discovered a link between a heart failure diagnosis and having problems with a broad range of mental processes, such as memory, paying attention, and planning.
    Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 16 May 2025
  • Today, these models are constantly changing, from text-centric tools to multimodal solutions that can work with a much wider range of file data, including images, videos, sound and more.
    Nick Burling, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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