1
as in disseminates
to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people
spread the news!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in circulates
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 transmits
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 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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
3
as in expanses
a wide space or area
a vast spread of land just waiting to be settled
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spreads
Steve Booren, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
Like a blazing inferno, the riot spreads swiftly and suddenly.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
How the malware spreads and adapts According to Bitdefender, a global cybersecurity company, the campaign centers on a fake Android security app called TrustBastion.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Each new colony spreads the risk, ensuring that a single catastrophic event at one location cannot wipe out the entire species.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
As the outbreak spreads, local pediatricians will offer the MMR vaccine to children younger than a year old, because unvaccinated infants are especially vulnerable to the disease.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
Huttas said feedback from both diners and business owners has been overwhelmingly positive, with participation growing week to week as word spreads.
—Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The virus spreads to a glioblastoma cell, kills it, and then makes a copy of itself that spreads again to another glioblastoma cell.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
The older version of the game, called Test cricket, spreads over five full days of play, and its duration as well as its colonial-era quirks (players wear white while representing their country and take breaks during the day for lunch and tea) have often lent themselves to ridicule.
—Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Then, grab two sauces or spreads that can be used to boost any meal.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Think whole-grain bread instead of refined, or bean spreads in place of mayo.
—Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
The Pinecrest store will also offer H&H catering boxes that contain a variety of bagels with toppings and spreads.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Even without my roommate (my usual go-to self-tanner assistant), my back—using a larger towel applicator—looked totally streak-free, thanks to how evenly and smoothly the glycerin-rich formula spreads.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026
Stock your pantry with their selection of fruits confits, wines, juices, and spreads, and one of each pastry.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
Start your easiest party ever with quick recipes for easy dips, simple spreads, and pick-up bites that can be made ahead or assembled in minutes.
—Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The savory girl favors briny, herbaceous, and umami-rich bites over sweet treats—think olives instead of cupcakes, flaky cheese twists over sugar cookies, and snack boards featuring marinated vegetables, nuts, and bold spreads.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Fear often spreads faster than facts, and perspective usually becomes its first casualty.
—Steve Booren, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
Like a blazing inferno, the riot spreads swiftly and suddenly.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
How the malware spreads and adapts According to Bitdefender, a global cybersecurity company, the campaign centers on a fake Android security app called TrustBastion.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Each new colony spreads the risk, ensuring that a single catastrophic event at one location cannot wipe out the entire species.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
As the outbreak spreads, local pediatricians will offer the MMR vaccine to children younger than a year old, because unvaccinated infants are especially vulnerable to the disease.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
Huttas said feedback from both diners and business owners has been overwhelmingly positive, with participation growing week to week as word spreads.
—Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The virus spreads to a glioblastoma cell, kills it, and then makes a copy of itself that spreads again to another glioblastoma cell.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
The older version of the game, called Test cricket, spreads over five full days of play, and its duration as well as its colonial-era quirks (players wear white while representing their country and take breaks during the day for lunch and tea) have often lent themselves to ridicule.
—Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
The broader concern is that years of ultra-low interest rates and thin yield spreads encouraged lenders to make riskier moves, financing smaller, more leveraged companies at yields that appeared attractive compared with public markets, market watchers said.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Then, grab two sauces or spreads that can be used to boost any meal.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Think whole-grain bread instead of refined, or bean spreads in place of mayo.
—Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
The Pinecrest store will also offer H&H catering boxes that contain a variety of bagels with toppings and spreads.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Even without my roommate (my usual go-to self-tanner assistant), my back—using a larger towel applicator—looked totally streak-free, thanks to how evenly and smoothly the glycerin-rich formula spreads.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026
Stock your pantry with their selection of fruits confits, wines, juices, and spreads, and one of each pastry.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
Start your easiest party ever with quick recipes for easy dips, simple spreads, and pick-up bites that can be made ahead or assembled in minutes.
—Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The savory girl favors briny, herbaceous, and umami-rich bites over sweet treats—think olives instead of cupcakes, flaky cheese twists over sugar cookies, and snack boards featuring marinated vegetables, nuts, and bold spreads.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spreads
Verb
-
The virus disseminates from a person’s vomit and stool, spraying into the air or landing on nearby surfaces.—
Hannah Poukish,
Sacbee.com,
15 Dec. 2025
-
The spores can also be present in soil, which, if disturbed, disseminates the spores into the air.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Its flat side can be used for outlining; its fine tip fills in sparse areas with hairlike strokes; and the broad side of the tip applies wider strokes as needed.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The certification currently applies to Longchamp’s leather goods division, the core of the business, but the assessment extended beyond raw material sourcing to encompass internal logistics, governance structures, supplier management and even event production and influencer marketing guidelines.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The idea of a future European defense force, once dismissed as fantasy, now circulates seriously in policy circles.—
Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Drone footage circulates instantly.—
Charles Edward Gehrke,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
CapRadio’s tower plan CapRadio tried for more than a decade to repair the tower beaming KXPR, which transmits classical music.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The CubeSat takes a high-definition image of its surroundings every 2 minutes and transmits it to the laptop.—
Joanna Goodrich,
IEEE Spectrum,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Later, Hamilton parts the sea on his kick scooter, speedily escaping from the hectic press area.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While a certain amount of planning and foresight can be helpful, sometimes doing more just increases anxiety and exhaustion.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Delaying his return also increases the Mavericks’ chances to secure the highest possible lottery position for this summer’s NBA draft.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Think shuffleboard clubs, urban farms that host dinners, and dog parks.—
Carrie Honaker,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Their first date was a masked, socially distanced walk around the Olympic Village, and dinners were enjoyed together while separated by plexiglass.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Under her latest alias, Angel Marcloid offers a beguiling collection of modular synth experiments that cycle between harsh textures and monochromatic expanses.—
Maxie Younger,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Nature lovers seeking fresh air and green open spaces will delight in the city’s location directly by the lake, in its abundant expanses of forest and parkland, and in its very own mountain, the Uetliberg.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spreads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spreads. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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