spread 1 of 3

Definition of spreadnext
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 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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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)

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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
As sports-betting apps have spread, there has been a definite uptick in public gambling scandals involving athletes. Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025 Scores of cancellations spread across the country as airlines implemented Duffy's order to reduce traffic. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
The city has invested in treating the groundwater and preventing the spread of PFAS, but that process is expensive. Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025 The ready-to-assemble holiday spread is available for $25, averaging about $5 per person. Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Noun
  • Keep scrolling for 12 amazing Pottery Barn quilt deals going on right now—up to 40% off.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Laura Ashley Full/Queen Bedford Cotton Reversible Quilt Set Get two bedding sets in one with this reversible quilt from Laura Ashley.
    Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • For dinner, the creative tasting menu at Mexican restaurant Autor offers the chefs an opportunity to showcase their heritage, while Kengai’s Asian menu is inspired by the Japanese Izakaya tradition of sharing dishes.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Queen Letizia’s wardrobe selections for the state gala dinner on Tuesday night was a near-exact replica of the Spanish royal’s attire for the state banquet at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in April 2024, during the Spanish royals‘ state visit to the country.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The expansion of the role of pharmacies has meant that paying cash for generic drugs and services can also be cheaper at times.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • However, the major result emerging from this research is the implication that the universe is not expanding at an accelerating rate, but has already transitioned into a state of decelerating expansion.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Even the people at the other end of the spectrum, who are resisting the very idea of change, represent a customer service failure on your part.
    Phil Gilbert, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2025
  • Red portions of the visible light spectrum easily penetrate skin and become absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood.
    Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Presidents before Roosevelt largely kept their distance from the press and only occasionally granted interviews.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Keep a distance from high profile vehicles such as trucks, buses and vehicles towing trailers.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • For ultraminimalists, this simple coverlet from Parachute imitates the look of a quilt without the fill, delivers on the work of a good throw blanket, and makes for a perfect year-round bed linen on account of its weight.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Honestly, the coverlets deserve a three-bedroom house, one color in each room.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Among this group, 12% add the service charge or automatic gratuity to all checks, while 88% only add it to parties that exceed a specific number of people (typically six or more) or to banquets, private events or catering events.
    Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
  • It’s been a whirlwind week for the queen, who attended a banquet in honor of Haitham Bin Tariq, the sultan and prime minister of Oman, on Tuesday.
    Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • One of the original Florida state parks, opened to the public in 1935, the 13,000-acre expanse felt more like Georgia or North Carolina with its high plateaus, steep ravines, waterfalls, and seasonal foliage.
    Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025
  • After passing through a gate, the trail scrambles up the backside of Chicken Point, a broad open expanse of slickrock surrounded by abrupt colorful cliffs with views spilling across the valley.
    Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 8 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

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