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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spreading
Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Work from the outside edges to keep the stain from spreading.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Tesla is far behind Waymo, the driverless-taxi service owned by Google’s parent company that is picking up riders in five cities, and is quickly spreading to many more.
—Patrick George, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
However, within two hours, firefighting aircraft and ground crews had some containment and stopped the blaze from spreading beyond 75 acres, Johnson said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
About a year ago, North Beach was seeded with about 37,000 cubic yards of sand from the Santa Ana River, with truckloads hauling the material in and spreading it out.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
Gallagher, who has been undergoing treatment at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, had to have most of the tissue on her left leg below the knee removed to try and stop the bacteria from spreading, the Pensacola News Journal reported.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
The side brush on this model can also lift itself out of the way to avoid spreading stains and flinging large particles.
—PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
In fact, word is already spreading about the opportunity to pull down more federal tax dollars by taking this approach.
—Patrick Gleason, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
Along the western side, crews will work along the Sycamore Ridge Road to prevent the fire from spreading south and west.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Work from the outside edges to keep the stain from spreading.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Tesla is far behind Waymo, the driverless-taxi service owned by Google’s parent company that is picking up riders in five cities, and is quickly spreading to many more.
—Patrick George, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
However, within two hours, firefighting aircraft and ground crews had some containment and stopped the blaze from spreading beyond 75 acres, Johnson said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
About a year ago, North Beach was seeded with about 37,000 cubic yards of sand from the Santa Ana River, with truckloads hauling the material in and spreading it out.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
Gallagher, who has been undergoing treatment at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, had to have most of the tissue on her left leg below the knee removed to try and stop the bacteria from spreading, the Pensacola News Journal reported.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
The side brush on this model can also lift itself out of the way to avoid spreading stains and flinging large particles.
—PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
In fact, word is already spreading about the opportunity to pull down more federal tax dollars by taking this approach.
—Patrick Gleason, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spreading
Adjective
-
Team productivity decreases across the board, and worse, disengagement becomes infectious.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
This year has also seen the largest measles outbreak since the highly infectious virus was declared eliminated from the country in 2000.—
Jon Brodkin,
ArsTechnica,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Over five nail-biting episodes, Dalton and Toussaint must identify the individuals threatening their lives and families, prevent their political demise and track down moles within their ranks who might be disseminating information across enemy lines.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Producing, selling, or disseminating pornographic material for profit is punishable by life in prison.—
CNN Staff 20 hr ago,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Rieger admitted that such complaints exist and are partially driven by believers failing to understand intersectionality and its purpose — applying it as a policy excuse when and where convenient.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
But these trials have been small, and largely limited to applying direct heat to a limb or muscle group—not simply moving that muscle in a warm room.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There have been several false dawns with reports about a new series or movie circulating for years.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The image quickly began circulating on social media, including on popular pop culture accounts like Pop Crave.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After launch, the satellite successfully entered orbit and began transmitting data, according to an update from the Israeli Ministry of Defense.—
Brett Tingley,
Space.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Khamryn Zyiel Johnson, 27, of Plano, is charged in a five-count indictment made public Friday with enticement of a minor to produce pornography and transmitting and receiving images of child pornography.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But that isn’t separating Texans from their steaks.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In 2022, the pair decided to spin the block after separating.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The materials also mold to your feet over time, increasing their comfort and personalizing their fit.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
-
In Platte County, population growth also contributes to the increasing demand for real estate.—
Madeline King,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Continue propagating mature clumps by division in spring.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Ask how your system updates its models, handles evolving processes and prevents mistakes from propagating.—
Karpagam Narayanan,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spreading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spreading. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share