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
Iain Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Officials said overcrowding increases animal stress, spreads illness and complicates daily care.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 10 May 2026
Hantavirus typically spreads to humans through contact with rodent urine or droppings, though this strain, the Andes virus, can in rare cases spread person-to-person through very close, prolonged contact with an infected person.
—Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
That tiny movement changes the way light spreads inside the sensor.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026
Hantavirus typically spreads through contact with rats and mice—or, more precisely, with their droppings, urine, and saliva.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 8 May 2026
Mold is a fungus that spreads through microscopic airborne spores.
—Ryan Brennan
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Success spreads Successful small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 May 2026
Once the disease spreads to other areas of the body, however, treatment becomes much more difficult, and the five-year survival rate dips to roughly 16 percent.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 2 May 2026
Colin Dodds, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026
How gold dealers make money Gold dealers make money through premiums, buyback spreads and service fees.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 14 May 2026
In fact, yield is where the opportunity lies, since credit spreads are tight, Rieder said.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 13 May 2026
And yes, it can often be seen on funeral spreads, but also at family holidays, cookouts, brunches, and showers.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
Demand, for now, is keeping pace; yet tight spreads leave little room for error if credit conditions were to deteriorate.
—Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Don’t miss suja, or black tea churned with butter and salt, which shows up everywhere from afternoon monastery visits to morning breakfast spreads.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Those are hefty spreads for Game 7s.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 4 May 2026
The Bermuda grass weed spreads by its roots (rhizomes) and seeds.
—Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Hantavirus usually spreads when people inhale contaminated residue of rodent droppings and isn’t easily transmitted between people.
—Iain Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Officials said overcrowding increases animal stress, spreads illness and complicates daily care.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 10 May 2026
Hantavirus typically spreads to humans through contact with rodent urine or droppings, though this strain, the Andes virus, can in rare cases spread person-to-person through very close, prolonged contact with an infected person.
—Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
That tiny movement changes the way light spreads inside the sensor.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026
Hantavirus typically spreads through contact with rats and mice—or, more precisely, with their droppings, urine, and saliva.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 8 May 2026
Mold is a fungus that spreads through microscopic airborne spores.
—Ryan Brennan
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Success spreads Successful small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 May 2026
Once the disease spreads to other areas of the body, however, treatment becomes much more difficult, and the five-year survival rate dips to roughly 16 percent.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 2 May 2026
Noun
That convenience may come with costs, such as bid-ask spreads or other transaction charges.
—Colin Dodds, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026
How gold dealers make money Gold dealers make money through premiums, buyback spreads and service fees.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 14 May 2026
In fact, yield is where the opportunity lies, since credit spreads are tight, Rieder said.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 13 May 2026
And yes, it can often be seen on funeral spreads, but also at family holidays, cookouts, brunches, and showers.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
Demand, for now, is keeping pace; yet tight spreads leave little room for error if credit conditions were to deteriorate.
—Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Don’t miss suja, or black tea churned with butter and salt, which shows up everywhere from afternoon monastery visits to morning breakfast spreads.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Those are hefty spreads for Game 7s.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 4 May 2026
The Bermuda grass weed spreads by its roots (rhizomes) and seeds.
—Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spreads
Verb
-
Irrespective of how the threat is made, the agency's Protective Intelligence division examines and disseminates general threat intelligence to the entire agency.—
Donald J. Mihalek,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Much of that money has been routed through a nonprofit judicial advocacy group Leo founded — now called The 85 Fund — which both receives and disseminates Leo’s funding.—
Abrahm Lustgarten,
ProPublica,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The measure applies only to the Senate, not the House, highlighting ongoing tensions between the two chambers over responsibility for funding the federal government.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
This applies especially for pets, because the algae can be extremely dangerous to their health.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Its vertical and horizontal dual oscillation, coupled with an airflow range of up to 50 feet, efficiently circulates air in any direction.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
-
While Mullen’s work circulates primarily through podcasts and online clips, SNL remains one of the most powerful amplifiers of funny.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The virus transmits human-to-human amid close, prolonged contact with a symptomatic case.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
11 May 2026
-
The SEALs team takes a photograph of bin Laden’s face and transmits it to American officials.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Trever parts his hair to the right while his brother styles his combover to the left.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Later, Hamilton parts the sea on his kick scooter, speedily escaping from the hectic press area.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Posting on multiple platforms simultaneously increases your reach, but be aware that spreading the budget evenly across all of them generally doesn't work.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
The vote signifies the latest push by the group to slow or halt wage increases for tourism workers in the city, increases that hospitality and service worker unions have pushed for to coincide with the 2028 Olympics.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
There’s a swimming pool and an outdoor kitchen, for family dinners at home after long days on the beach, and lots of smaller cafés and convenience shops a quick walk away.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
14 May 2026
-
Stop in for the homey buffet lunches and dinners, if only for the panoramic views of Sweden.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Encounters with whales, dolphins and penguins awaited; landscapes of icy expanses, towering cliffs and rolling green hills beckoned.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
-
This former mining hub with a population of about 170 is sandwiched between the vast expanses of Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.—
Amanda Ogle,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spreads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spreads. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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