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

Sked said bed bugs rarely disappear on their own, making early detection and prompt professional treatment the best way to prevent infestations from spreading. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 July 2026

By spreading the cost across many businesses, support organizations can deliver sophisticated capabilities at a fraction of the cost. — Rob Falzon, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Most targets were critics of China, and the tactics included creating fake social-media accounts and swamping platforms with pro-Beijing posts, spreading false information about dissidents, and forging documents. — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Astrotourism, one of the most popular reasons to travel, is spreading across the country. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026

The defense has argued that Saulter was initially disciplined for spreading rumors about King having sex with Charles, not for reporting Goodloe’s allegations. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026

The concern is that screwworm may be spreading undetected throughout the Southwest, even as government agencies have moved quickly to contain infections. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

Winslow has been on a ventilator and is now battling septic shock, with organ failure and a spreading infection. — Neal Riley, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Pay Attention to Plant Form Plants come in a wide range of shapes, from arching to columnar to spreading. — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2026