Synonyms of spreads

spreads 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of spread

1

as in disseminates

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

spread the news!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disseminates
• propagates
• circulates
• broadcasts
• imparts
• transmits
• dispenses
• diffuses
• communicates
• passes (on)
• conveys
• radiates
• disperses
• sprawls
• dissipates
• sows
• scatters

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• holds (in)
• hides
• conceals
• obscures
• masks
• secretes
• contains
• restricts
• limits
• enshrouds
• cloaks
• shrouds
• veils

2

as in applies

to put a layer of on a surface

we spread the fertilizer over the lawn evenly until it was fully covered

Synonyms & Similar Words

• applies
• smears
• lays
• sheets
• lays on
• coats
• layers
• anoints
• dabs
• covers
• plasters
• slathers
• blankets
• overspreads
• surfaces
• carpets
• overlays
• bedaubs
• besmears
• daubs
• overlies
• mantles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exposes
• uncovers
• strips
• peels
• bares

3

as in circulates

to become known

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• circulates
• unfolds
• breaks
• reveals
• leaks (out)
• comes out
• tells
• gets out
• outs
• develops
• gets around
• gets about
• gets round
• discloses
• transpires
• spills

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppresses
• hides
• masks
• conceals
• disguises
• hushes (up)
• secretes

4

as in transmits

to cause (something) to pass from one to another

living conditions that help to spread chicken pox

Synonyms & Similar Words

• transmits
• gives
• conveys
• propagates
• disseminates
• communicates
• imparts
• transfers
• conducts
• delivers
• transfuses
• diffuses
• turns over
• infects
• broadcasts
• surrenders
• contaminates
• hands over
• poisons
• hands down
• hands on

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• catches
• contracts
• comes down (with)

5

as in parts

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

• parts
• divides
• diverges
• separates
• retreats
• scatters
• branches (out)
• forks
• dissipates
• distributes
• disperses
• dispels
• broadcasts
• sows
• disbands
• recedes
• clears out
• distances
• bestrews
• breaks up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• joins
• converges
• meets
• gathers
• assembles

6

as in increases

to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number

dissatisfaction with the new administration is spreading rapidly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increases
• rises
• expands
• swells
• accelerates
• climbs
• multiplies
• proliferates
• intensifies
• accumulates
• waxes
• enlarges
• escalates
• mushrooms
• rolls up
• snowballs
• mounts
• gains
• surges
• builds up
• burgeons
• booms
• jumps
• appreciates
• balloons
• heightens
• distends
• skyrockets
• inflates
• redoubles
• rockets
• puffs (up)
• peaks
• bulks
• crests
• blows up
• crescendoes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decreases
• diminishes
• recedes
• wanes
• lessens
• contracts
• dwindles

spreads

2 of 2

noun

plural of spread

1

as in quilts

a decorative cloth used as a top covering for a bed

bought a brightly colored spread for summer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quilts
• coverlets
• bedspreads
• puffs
• bedcovers
• clothes
• counterpanes
• haps
• comforters
• bedclothes
• beddings

2

as in dinners

a large fancy meal often accompanied by ceremony or entertainment

they really know how to put out a good spread

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dinners
• banquets
• feasts
• feeds
• barbecues
• festivals
• regales
• roasts
• galas
• tables
• festivities
• repasts
• chow
• blowouts
• parties
• messes
• carnivals
• fetes
• buffets
• fries
• luncheons
• shindigs
• cookouts
• smorgasbords
• clambakes
• luaus

3

as in expanses

a wide space or area

a vast spread of land just waiting to be settled

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expanses
• expansions
• stretches
• reaches
• sheets
• distances
• plains
• lengths
• wastes
• breadths
• sweeps
• fields
• depths
• extents
• territories
• domains
• scales
• spans
• spheres
• spectra
• voids
• ranges
• extensions
• scopes
• magnitudes
• gamuts
• amplitudes
• latitudes
• compasses
• immensities

4

as in ranges

the distance or extent between possible extremes

the spread of grades was from 15 to 79 on that quiz

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ranges
• scales
• stretches
• spectra
• reaches
• gamuts
• diapasons
• widths
• sweeps
• measures
• pitches
• dimensions
• scopes
• realms
• extents
• amplitudes
• compasses
• ambits

5

as in distances

the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects

a spread of nearly 100 miles between farms

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distances
• stretches
• removes
• widths
• spacings
• leads
• lengths
• heights
• spaces
• ways
• areas
• reaches
• rises
• throws
• sweeps
• falls
• volumes
• depths
• extensions
• altitudes
• ranges
• drops
• hauls
• flights
• casts
• breadths
• shots
• clearances
• extents
• scopes
• berths

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of spreads

Verb

While the exact cause or specific origin of this year’s outbreak is still under investigation, the parasite spreads when people eat food or drink water contaminated with feces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

In a place like New York City, Legionella really spreads through the mist or the vapor that’s generated by cooling towers that are often found on the top of large buildings. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 15 July 2026

The heat-loving parasite infects the bowels and spreads through feces. — Mike Stobbe, Fortune, 15 July 2026

More than 830 wildfires are burning across Canada, with over 100 considered out of control, as smoke from the blazes in northwestern Ontario and neighboring regions spreads into parts of the Midwest and Northeast. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 15 July 2026

The parasite often spreads through produce and herbs, and experts urge following food-safety guidelines. — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 July 2026

Even sparks or embers carried by the wind can ignite nearby leaves or grass, triggering a fire that spreads rapidly. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

Ebola threat Ebola is not a disease that readily spreads like respiratory viruses. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026

The heat-loving parasite infects the bowels and spreads through feces. — ABC News, 8 July 2026

Noun

When urgency rises, tension spreads and the room begins to shift. — Edward Deangelis, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

The downstream business benefited from higher crack spreads and strong refining performance. — Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 19 July 2026

Additionally, two spreads in the October 1998 issue of Vogue Italia featured Bostons. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 17 July 2026

Gasoline crack spreads at US refineries are up 60% from a year ago and diesel and jet fuel crack spreads are more than double their 2025 levels, according to the US Energy Information Administration. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

Forecasters warn conditions could worsen Thursday, July 16, as smoke from hundreds of active wildfires spreads into states including New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 16 July 2026

As Judith throws knives and sprays bullets, Debbie is at home in London, none the wiser, attending antique sales, writing her dim husband David’s (Jamie Parker) political speeches, and making massive snack spreads for her and Judith’s book club. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 July 2026

Outbreaks are usually linked to fresh produce According to the CDC, cyclospora spreads when people consume food or water contaminated with feces containing the eggs of the parasite. — Laura Bradley, Health, 13 July 2026

Amazon issued bonds in eight tranches ranging from three to 40 years, according to BofA, and hyperscaler bond spreads expanded between six and 15 basis points that day. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 8 July 2026