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
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Recent Examples of spread
ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Christmas is still months away, but for those who wear the red suit, the work of spreading joy never really stops.
—Michael Cuviello, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
The spread of aquatic invasive species such as hydrilla has been a major concern in Connecticut over the last few years.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread
Verb
Although homicide rates in Chile are still some of the lowest in the region, carjackings, kidnappings and contract killings previously unseen in the stable nation have flooded local media and spread fear, leading many Chileans to blame the new arrivals.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Christmas is still months away, but for those who wear the red suit, the work of spreading joy never really stops.
—Michael Cuviello, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
That ocean-crossing potential means the spread of Trichonephila clavata is not limited by conventional geographic barriers like rivers, mountain ranges, or highways that might slow a ground-dwelling species.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
The spread of aquatic invasive species such as hydrilla has been a major concern in Connecticut over the last few years.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Noun
-
On top, a double quilt filled with chemical-free 650+ down drapes over you like a comforter.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
20 Mar. 2026
-
This quilt is the ideal springtime bedding.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Food & beverage Located just off the lobby entrance, Versante Hearth and Bar serves as both the hotel’s anchor and sporty social hub, open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and evening drinks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
-
No more worrying about whether my teeth are wine-stained at dinner and no reason to feel guilty about that second (or third) espresso hit.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To seal the night, our clients observed the night sky using the historic 100-inch Hooker Telescope, a tool used by the greatest astronomers of the Twentieth Century, including Edwin Hubble, who used it to measure the expansion of the Universe.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Before the preseason games even happen, there’s a lot to do with an expansion draft for Portland and Toronto as well as free agency for 80% of the league.—
Doug Feinberg,
Twin Cities,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Aim for 40 percent and avoid too much age—basically the budget end of the spectrum is ideal.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
14 Mar. 2026
-
In the world of baking, cheesecakes are on the high-maintenance spectrum.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Atmos also urged anyone who suspects a natural gas leak to leave the area immediately and, from a safe distance, call 911 and its 24‑hour emergency line at (866) 322‑8667.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Red carpets outside venues like the Paramount Theatre remain accessible (from a distance).—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The results may look deceptively simple—bed sheets, pillow shams, the occasional coverlet—but engrained in those thread counts are hundreds of years spent honing techniques and generations of families honoring lofty traditions.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Try styling it with tonal layers: Soft neutrals, an exaggerated lumbar pillow, and a simple coverlet so the stripe reads more like depth than pattern.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Amenities include a spa, two restaurants, shops, three pools, sports courts and banquet facilities.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The very first Academy Awards ceremony took place during a banquet held in the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That expanse of floor space is more than seven Lenox Square malls or nearly twice the footprint of the Pentagon.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Even the park entrance sign is surrounded by a bed of color, a stark contrast to the barren expanses that usually greet visitors.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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