wide 1 of 2

Definition of widenext

wide

2 of 2

adverb

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wide
Adjective
The retail landscape is witnessing a fascinating divergence as physical malls boldly buck the wider shopping slowdown. Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 11 June 2026 Davis highlights a wider issue that doesn’t only happen in pop culture but is often seen in the workplace. Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Adverb
Appearing in his fourth World Cup, Son had a couple of good opportunities to add to his tally but missed wide in the first half and had a close-range shot saved in the second. ABC News, 12 June 2026 Watts got another excellent chance in the waning seconds, but the Patriots defense forced the shot to go wide. Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for wide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wide
Adjective
  • The move suggests a broader shift in Tehran, where a new generation of leaders is increasingly abandoning the cautious, reactive approach that long defined the Islamic Republic’s strategy towards its adversaries.
    Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
  • Ellison and Paramount have faced significant criticism from the political left because, unlike much of Hollywood, Ellison has emphasized making entertainment designed to appeal to broad audiences.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • Months later, after an extensive investigation involving local, state and federal agencies, authorities concluded that Harmony had been killed in Manchester in early December 2019.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 12 June 2026
  • Richards-Slavik said the detail work is so extensive it can be measured in miles.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
Adverb
  • However, xGC estimates that even with Lionel Messi, their roster doesn’t quite contain the same threat as teams like France and Spain.
    Ethan Douglas, New York Times, 10 June 2026
  • There's nothing quite like growing a classic apple tree (Malus domestica) in your garden.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • Hikers dip into shady trails lined with thick brush, a favorite path being the Myakka Canopy Walkway, which offers a rare peek into the ecosystems—both minuscule and massive—within the swampy marshland.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
  • Whatever its former luxury, the boat now had cabins crammed with four-person bunks and an atmosphere thick with the scent of unwashed bodies and the steam of rations.
    Kevin Maurer, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • For now, Counsell appears unwilling to make sweeping judgments based on some surprising struggles with runners in scoring position.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
  • Participants travel by horseback to South American landscapes few people ever reach, from vast valleys and sweeping pampas to ancient lenga forests and high plateaus populated with condors.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Adverb
  • And in a fast-growing region like Charlotte, advocates say those pressures are only likely to intensify if the gap between supply and demand continues to widen.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
  • Brown told them to play faster, move the ball more, keep the floor spaced out.
    Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
  • Chicagoans have a deep reverence for the thick, unique pizza style, and Cornell and Stevenson said visitors from the Windy City have claimed Zelda’s is the most authentic version of the pie in California.
    Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
Adverb
  • One meteor that plunged into the sleepy British town of Winchcombe in 2021 — leaving a sizable dent in a family’s driveway — was found to have a D/H ratio that almost perfectly matched that of Earth’s oceans.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 12 June 2026
  • Also, Elmo perfectly illustrated why online betting needs stronger regulation, something that is currently being debated in Washington.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wide. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on wide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster