Synonyms of spreading

spreading 1 of 2

adjective

as in infectious

exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others

spreading enthusiasm that got our club rolling again

Synonyms & Similar Words

• infectious
• catching
• epidemic
• contagious
• tangible
• perceptible
• overwhelming
• overpowering
• irresistible
• winning
• palpable
• inviting
• fetching
• endearing
• disarming
• winsome

spreading

2 of 2

verb

present participle of spread

1

as in disseminating

to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people

spread the news!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disseminating
• propagating
• circulating
• broadcasting
• transmitting
• imparting
• dispensing
• diffusing
• communicating
• radiating
• conveying
• passing (on)
• dispersing
• scattering
• sprawling
• sowing
• dissipating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hiding
• concealing
• holding (in)
• obscuring
• masking
• secreting
• limiting
• restricting
• containing
• shrouding
• enshrouding
• cloaking
• veiling

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

• applying
• smearing
• laying
• sheeting
• coating
• laying on
• layering
• plastering
• slathering
• dabbing
• anointing
• daubing
• covering
• blanketing
• surfacing
• overlaying
• besmearing
• overspreading
• bedaubing
• overlying
• mantling
• carpeting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exposing
• stripping
• peeling
• uncovering
• baring

3

as in circulating

to become known

once news of the war's end had spread, spontaneous celebrations broke out everywhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

• circulating
• unfolding
• breaking
• telling
• revealing
• coming out
• developing
• leaking (out)
• getting out
• getting around
• disclosing
• outing
• getting about
• getting round
• spilling
• transpiring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppressing
• hiding
• concealing
• masking
• disguising
• hushing (up)
• secreting

4

as in transmitting

to cause (something) to pass from one to another

living conditions that help to spread chicken pox

Synonyms & Similar Words

• transmitting
• giving
• conveying
• propagating
• disseminating
• communicating
• imparting
• transferring
• conducting
• delivering
• diffusing
• transfusing
• broadcasting
• infecting
• contaminating
• surrendering
• turning over
• handing over
• poisoning
• handing down
• handing on

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• catching
• contracting
• coming down (with)

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

• separating
• dividing
• parting
• diverging
• retreating
• forking
• scattering
• branching (out)
• distributing
• dispersing
• dissipating
• dispelling
• broadcasting
• sowing
• disbanding
• receding
• distancing
• bestrewing
• clearing out
• breaking up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• joining
• converging
• meeting
• gathering
• assembling

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

• increasing
• rising
• expanding
• accelerating
• swelling
• multiplying
• climbing
• accumulating
• intensifying
• proliferating
• waxing
• snowballing
• enlarging
• mushrooming
• escalating
• gaining
• mounting
• ballooning
• burgeoning
• booming
• surging
• jumping
• rolling up
• appreciating
• heightening
• building up
• skyrocketing
• rocketing
• inflating
• redoubling
• peaking
• distending
• puffing (up)
• bulking
• cresting
• blowing up
• crescendoing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decreasing
• diminishing
• contracting
• lessening
• receding
• waning
• dwindling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of spreading

Verb

Swells generated by Bertha will continue spreading westward along the northern Gulf Coast during the next few days. — Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

But since the team first rolled out the tactic in early July, the idea may be spreading. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 22 July 2026

The water in the Rhine and Meuse rivers is unusually warm at around 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 Celsius), and there are reports of blue-green algae spreading and fish dying. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Deaton notes that the best course of action for smaller infestations is to prune out the affected area to prevent the pests from spreading and treat the plant with insecticidal soap or a blast of soapy water. — The Spruce, 21 July 2026

Kovich said attracting new development will ultimately be key to lowering rates further by spreading the cost of the water system across more customers. — Nina Burns, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Many consumers are visiting more stores and making smaller purchases at each one, spreading their spending around rather than sticking to one retailer out of habit or loyalty. — Arthur Zackiewicz, Footwear News, 14 July 2026

At roughly two hundred million dollars a year, that’s a modest price to pay for spreading the arts beyond the coasts, and a lot to give up over a few photographs. — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Crews contained the blaze to the bedroom and prevented it from spreading to other units. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026