as in infectious
exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others
spreading enthusiasm that got our club rolling again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in disseminating
to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people
spread the news!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in applying
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 circulating
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 transmitting
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 separating
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 increasing
to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number
dissatisfaction with the new administration is spreading rapidly
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 spreading
Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Rob became an executive producer of Lyrics From Lockdown and the show traveled across the country, spreading awareness of Williams’ story.
—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The higher numbers appear to be driven by the type of flu that’s been spreading, public health experts say.
—Mike Stobbe, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Influenza typically starts in the US Southeast before slowly spreading north and west.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Against the backdrop of Paris, Venice, Rome, and New York, the agents work to keep the virus from spreading further, while The Corporation tries to get his money-making injection in the hands of as many people as possible.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 5 Jan. 2026
The idea is that these are machines capable of mining resources, replicating and spreading through the galaxy over millions of years.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin directly blamed Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for fostering hostility toward law enforcement and accused the media of spreading false narratives about immigration operations.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
These layers deflect the energy from a punch, preventing it from spreading and causing damage.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
South Florida doctors are seeing more people with cough, fever and other flu-like symptoms as a rapidly spreading influenza strain circulates across the country this winter.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Rob became an executive producer of Lyrics From Lockdown and the show traveled across the country, spreading awareness of Williams’ story.
—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The higher numbers appear to be driven by the type of flu that’s been spreading, public health experts say.
—Mike Stobbe, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Influenza typically starts in the US Southeast before slowly spreading north and west.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Against the backdrop of Paris, Venice, Rome, and New York, the agents work to keep the virus from spreading further, while The Corporation tries to get his money-making injection in the hands of as many people as possible.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 5 Jan. 2026
The idea is that these are machines capable of mining resources, replicating and spreading through the galaxy over millions of years.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin directly blamed Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for fostering hostility toward law enforcement and accused the media of spreading false narratives about immigration operations.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
These layers deflect the energy from a punch, preventing it from spreading and causing damage.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spreading
Adjective
-
His infectious enthusiasm for books opened doors to other roles, like being named the new host of Reading Rainbow and the resident librarian at PBS.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Dustin — a fan-favorite from the very first episode because of his infectious optimism and unapologetic nerdiness — is no exception.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Not one suggested disseminating their Know2Protect public awareness program, a free, readily available tool for parents, kids and schools.—
Maureen Flatley,
Boston Herald,
6 Dec. 2025
-
He was also charged with disseminating and possessing bestiality material, police said.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Regularly applying sealer to your grout and keeping the area clean is your best chance at preventing mold and mildew growth along your grout.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
My hair feels brittle, my skin is dry from the cold weather, and my makeup is not applying right.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This week in Thessaloniki, industry professionals have been circulating leaflets and Visibility Zero campaign buttons, hoping to raise awareness about their struggle by ensuring that the movement is anything but invisible to festival guests.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Videos circulating on social media showed dozens of students in school uniform running in panic across the school's basketball court, some covering their ears with their hands, apparently to protect themselves from the loud blasts.—
NPR,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Ronkonkoma resident Anthony Noto was indicted on charges of knowingly transmitting a threat to injure on Instagram in September 2025.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Beyond simply transmitting data, what other possibilities are emerging for tomorrow’s networks?—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The backpack itself is crafted from a durable, water-resistant, anti-abrasion material, and includes a wet pocket for separating damp items or dirty laundry.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
-
This was such a tedious process that Saint Ignatius College Prep had its own recycling club that mainly involved spending Fridays after school sitting on a classroom floor and separating the recyclables the school had generated throughout the week.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Many are pulling six-day work weeks with mandatory overtime, and increasing numbers have begun calling out as the financial strain and exhaustion mount.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The military is striking the boats at the same time the administration is applying increasing pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.—
NPR,
NPR,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Robinhood is known for propagating meme-stock mania, making its founders billionaires, and changing how Americans invest.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Torres Maczassek and her brother, Miguel, are considered leaders in climate-change response, including uncovering and re-propagating nearly extinct grape varieties that may fare better in extreme heat and drought.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spreading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spreading. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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