Synonyms of wide

wide 1 of 2

adjective

ˈwīd 

1

as in broad

having a greater than usual measure across

the river is so wide that building a bridge across it would be impractical

Synonyms & Similar Words

• broad
• thick
• expansive
• extensive
• sweeping
• sizable
• spacious
• fat
• substantial
• commodious
• oversize
• voluminous
• roomy
• tidy
• outsize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• narrow
• thin
• slender
• skinny
• slim
• fine
• close
• hairlike
• tight
• elongate
• needlelike
• squeezed
• paper-thin
• small
• constricted
• tightened
• compressed
• slim-jim
• condensed
• reedlike
• hairline
• contracted
• smallish
• attenuated
• undersized
• bottleneck
• attenuate

2

as in extensive

having considerable extent

a wide and detailed knowledge of the issue

Synonyms & Similar Words

• broad
• extensive
• sweeping
• deep
• extended
• expansive
• widespread
• comprehensive
• general
• wide-ranging
• far-reaching
• rangy
• far-flung
• inclusive
• global
• infinite
• endless
• unlimited
• limitless
• boundless
• spacious
• roomy
• commodious
• capacious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• narrow
• limited
• restricted
• circumscribed

wide

2 of 2

adverb

as in quite

to a full extent or degree

the door was wide open

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quite
• fast
• perfectly
• fully
• completely
• all
• totally
• utterly
• entire
• wholly
• well
• out
• thoroughly
• even
• entirely
• exactly
• enough
• full
• flat
• absolutely
• for fair
• at length
• in whole
• clean
• to pieces
• all the way
• down to the ground
• dead
• to bits
• down the line
• all over
• plumb
• heartily
• through and through
• soundly
• basically
• plain
• altogether
• to the hilt
• to the max
• cold
• mostly
• all of
• substantially
• largely
• generally
• predominantly
• mainly
• by and large
• downright
• unqualifiedly
• principally
• primarily
• greatly
• predominately
• chiefly
• generously
• overall
• more or less
• categorically
• stone
• hands down
• abundantly
• stone-cold
• copiously

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• halfway
• half
• partly
• partially
• slightly
• just
• scarcely
• barely
• hardly
• somewhat
• part
• marginally
• minimally
• approximately
• superficially
• incompletely
• roughly
• kind of

Synonym Chooser

How is the word wide different from other adjectives like it?

The words broad and deep are common synonyms of wide. While all three words mean "having horizontal extent," wide is more common when units of measurement are mentioned, or when applied to unfilled space between limits.

rugs eight feet wide

a wide doorway

In what contexts can broad take the place of wide?

Although the words broad and wide have much in common, broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered.

broad shoulders

When is deep a more appropriate choice than wide?

In some situations, the words deep and wide are roughly equivalent. However, deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point.

a deep cupboard

deep woods

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wide

Adjective

Separated from China by a roughly 100-mile-wide strait, Taiwan relies on its navy as the first line of defense against a potential invasion. — Holmes Liao, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026

The action takes place in a vacuum, sealed off from inner lives as from wider currents. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Its images are stunning, in both exacting close-up and wide, sweeping drone shots. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

Two months ago, the window opened wide for states to apply for rural areas to be designated as an Opportunity Zone – that is, if the area has a poverty rate of at least 20%, among other requirements. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing wide

• far and wide