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
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Recent Examples of spreading
Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Iran claims to have restored order following the nationwide demonstrations that began spreading late last year over the country's collapsing currency and spiraling prices.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
Respiratory virus season is in full swing across California, with several illnesses spreading across the state.
—Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
For example, during Beach Blitz, members handed out team buttons and Narwhal horns, spreading the positivity and joy of robotics.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Sangak — the other, flatter bread, traditionally cooked by spreading the dough over stones — line the plates under the kebabs, deliciously collecting their juices.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
That jump introduced the hockey romance to a much larger audience and almost immediately, the series took on a life of its own, spreading rapidly across social media and fan spaces.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Clay County Sheriff Will Akin said that those photos weren’t real, and were wrongfully spreading fear in the area.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2026
Last week, the grandmother learned that the disease had become terminal after spreading to her brain and lungs, WIFR reported.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
Then consider that Maye has been spreading the ball out to a deep receiving corps.
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
Iran claims to have restored order following the nationwide demonstrations that began spreading late last year over the country's collapsing currency and spiraling prices.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
Respiratory virus season is in full swing across California, with several illnesses spreading across the state.
—Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
For example, during Beach Blitz, members handed out team buttons and Narwhal horns, spreading the positivity and joy of robotics.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Sangak — the other, flatter bread, traditionally cooked by spreading the dough over stones — line the plates under the kebabs, deliciously collecting their juices.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
That jump introduced the hockey romance to a much larger audience and almost immediately, the series took on a life of its own, spreading rapidly across social media and fan spaces.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Clay County Sheriff Will Akin said that those photos weren’t real, and were wrongfully spreading fear in the area.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2026
Last week, the grandmother learned that the disease had become terminal after spreading to her brain and lungs, WIFR reported.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spreading
Adjective
-
Raimi, in his first foray into horror since 2009’s Drag Me to Hell, attacks the material with a joyous ferocity that proves infectious.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Driven by salsa’s infectious rhythms and reimagined through a modern lens, the song — which bridges generations and honors tradition — laces Fonsi’s soaring vocals with Feid’s smooth, melodic voice.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The legislation would allow individuals whose likeness has been used by AI to generate pornographic photos and videos without their consent to sue those responsible for generating or disseminating the content for upward of $150,000.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Jan. 2026
-
He was charged during a Brooklyn Criminal Court arraignment with disseminating indecent material to minors, official misconduct by a public servant, and endangering the welfare of a child.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For these reasons, applying chemical ice melts and mechanically removing ice are better solutions.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 Jan. 2026
-
For decades, assessors across California have exercised reasonable and uniform judgment in applying it, guided by State Board of Equalization (BOE) advice, local building standards, and the factual circumstances of each rebuild.—
Jeffrey Prang,
Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show a U-Haul truck moving quickly through a dense crowd as people screamed.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The modern digital landscape is dominated by warring platforms and constantly changing monetization schemes, leaving the average consumer with a daily scroll permeated by ads, slop, and the same six viral videos that have been circulating for years.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, presides over the space, transmitting the spleen and the constantly shifting imperatives of the President.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Other theaters may use an FM system, transmitting sound to headphones via radio transmission.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
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
-
His administration is facing increasing scrutiny after immigration officers killed two American citizens in Minneapolis this month.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Powerful onshore winds are forecast to coincide with some of the highest tides of the month, increasing the risk of moderate to locally significant coastal flooding, particularly during high tide cycles late Saturday into Sunday.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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 30 Jan. 2026.
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