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.
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Recent Examples of spreading
Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Be generous when spreading the chocolate frosting on this one.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Bélanger emphasizes that spreading protein across meals helps support muscle tissue more effectively than concentrating it at night.
—Rita Templeton, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Then last summer, word started spreading that Netflix was exploring casting for a potential The Night Agent spinoff.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Just as cedar fever is calming down, the elm and ash trees get busy spreading their pollens.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
By spreading functions across many nodes, the systems can refresh technology more quickly and continue operating even if some satellites are lost or disabled.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
By now, Fragment A is probably nothing but a slowly-spreading cloud of gas and maybe some dust grains.
—Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Measles is now spreading in Florida, with 68 cases reported in the state already this year.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Be generous when spreading the chocolate frosting on this one.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Bélanger emphasizes that spreading protein across meals helps support muscle tissue more effectively than concentrating it at night.
—Rita Templeton, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Then last summer, word started spreading that Netflix was exploring casting for a potential The Night Agent spinoff.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Just as cedar fever is calming down, the elm and ash trees get busy spreading their pollens.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
By spreading functions across many nodes, the systems can refresh technology more quickly and continue operating even if some satellites are lost or disabled.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
By now, Fragment A is probably nothing but a slowly-spreading cloud of gas and maybe some dust grains.
—Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spreading
Adjective
-
Amber Ruffin's joy is infectious.—
Reena Advani,
NPR,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The dancers are exuberant, with a unified, infectious vibe reminiscent of an early New York club scene.—
Marcia Luttrell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Data centers are warehouse-like facilities housing computer servers and components essential for storing, processing and disseminating large amounts of data.—
Adam Bell,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Newton will be restricted from rejoining the department or even applying for private security license that is authorized by the Board of Police Commissioners.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
-
That includes explaining decisions clearly in open court, applying the law impartially, and upholding the highest standards of judicial ethics.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Video circulating online appears to show passengers exchanging punches in the aisle as other travelers scream.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Some of what is currently circulating takes remarks from press conferences detached not only out of context of the full conversations but also from the lifetime of work and values these artists represent.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Keep these Cucurbits well-separated to avoid transmitting pests.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Advancements in technology had reduced their size, increased their broadcast capabilities and reduced the lag time in transmitting shots via RF signals to broadcast trucks.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Friday’s event was not the first time the President has delivered such overtly political remarks at military venues, testing the tradition of separating the armed forces from partisan politics.—
Nandika Chatterjee,
Time,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The field is tightly bunched, with just over a second separating the top 10.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now, decoupling supply chains are driving manufacturing growth in the West once more, electric vehicles and home heat pumps need to be plugged in, and the makers of AI’s large language models have ever-increasing power needs.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The move marks a broader trend from the brand, which has been increasing its visibility to new markets through the world of sports, and, at the moment, none is hotter than that of F1.—
Blake Buettner,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Guojun’s abiding preoccupation, Song told me, was propagating his seed.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The best part about propagating a leggy succulent is that nearly every part of the plant can be used to grow new plants.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spreading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spreading. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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