SPREADING Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

spreading 1 of 2

adjective

as in infectious

exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others spreading enthusiasm that got our club rolling again

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Relevance

spreading

2 of 2

verb

present participle of spread

as in disseminating

to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people spread the news!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in applying

to put a layer of on a surface we spread the fertilizer over the lawn evenly until it was fully covered

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as in circulating

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

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as in transmitting

to cause (something) to pass from one to another living conditions that help to spread chicken pox

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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

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as in increasing

to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number dissatisfaction with the new administration is spreading rapidly

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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

Verb

Grey Owl Eastern red-cedar (Juniperus virginiana ‘Grey Owl’) is a low-growing and low-spreading shrub that reaches 3 to 4 feet high and 6 to 8 feet wide with silver-grey foliage and blue berries. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026 Melanoma that has not penetrated into the deeper layer of the skin carries very little risk of spreading, in comparison. — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026 Three broadcasters also received security threats, in a possible sign the menace was spreading beyond the skies. — Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026 In 2024, the developer that built the mall won approval from county planners for a $5 billion data center campus, and word began spreading through the largely Black community nearby. — Jenny Abamu, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026 Firefighters then worked to extinguish the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026 On Friday, the International Press Institute told the Freedom Desk that Attalah is now facing a second, separate prosecution on criminal charges of spreading fake news. — Press Freedom Desk, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026 Removing flammable debris, mulch, firewood and vegetation from around buildings also reduces the risk of fire spreading to the home. — Virginia Iglesias, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026 These methods gained prominence in France during the 2016 labor protests before spreading further during the Yellow Vest movement. — Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spreading

Adjective

Symptoms can appear between two and 21 days after exposure, and people are generally not infectious before symptoms begin.

— Olayinka Stephen Ilesanmi, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2026
Viral particles can spread through the air and remain infectious for up to two hours, even after an infected person leaves the area.

— Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of infectious

Verb

The order and accompanying legislation must be designed so that collecting and disseminating foreign trade secrets advances defense and intelligence priorities and does not unduly distort the free market.

— DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
Mid-market carve-outs rarely command a TSA long enough to deliberate, so the real skill is collecting and disseminating the supporting information quickly enough that leadership can make sound choices in rapid succession.

— Miki Kapoor, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of disseminating

Verb

Researchers in China found that repeatedly applying gentle pressure to the shinbones of elderly mice improved their strength, coordination, and performance on memory tests.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
Of course, running this kind of remote frame generation on a linear video is very different from applying it to a real-time interactive game.

— Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of applying

Verb

Video circulating on social media and verified by CNN shows damage to several floors of the Aramco building, with windows seen blown out.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
Detroit police say security will be increased at the city's annual Tree Lighting as a flyer circulating online calls for a teen takeover at the downtown celebration.

— Gino Vicci, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of circulating

Verb

Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 and 2 continue transmitting data past the heliosphere billions of kilometers away, while New Horizons successfully powered its 2015 flyby of Pluto using nuclear heat.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Certain mosquito species have gotten a bad reputation for transmitting diseases, including malaria, but other insects help control their populations.

— Chris Elphick, The Conversation, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of transmitting

Verb

There can also be, unfortunately, a splitting up of the household if parents are getting divorced or separating.

— Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
The 12 rural counties that voted Tuesday to explore separating from Illinois have a combined population of just over 252,000 people, according to 2025 Census estimates, roughly 2% of Illinois’ population.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of separating

Verb

Future development will focus on improving their autonomy, increasing operating speeds, and enabling them to work alongside humans with less supervision.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
Dangerously large breaking waves can overpower swimmers, pulling people into the sea from beaches, jetties, and rocks resulting in significant physical injury and increasing the risk of drowning.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2026