WIDELY Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

widely

adverb

Definition of widely

as in universally

across a large area, group, or range Originally invented in the United States, baseball is now a widely played sport around the world.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 widely Hüller, who anchors the film’s emotional arc, had been widely expected to compete in lead. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026 Pollsters and analysts widely predict Democrats will make significant gains. — Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026 He was widely expected to win the general election in November. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 2 Nov. 2026 Shelton took to TikTok after Kravitz death rumors began to widely circulate. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for widely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for widely

Adverb

Cotton is correct in saying that the United States tried winter time daylight saving time, in 1974 and it was universally hated as sunrise became too late for school starts and other normal morning activities.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
Co-owner Mike DiAlexander, a UCF grad/South Florida native, has created a universally friendly spot here since buying the place in 2011.

— Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of universally

Adverb

Neither Castillo nor Hershey have filed required ethics reports, or reported fundraising, signs their campaigns lack broad support and have not broadly engaged voters.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
More broadly, voters repudiated the AI industry's rapid expansion, with roughly two dozen proposals to restrict or block data centers appearing to pass among 41 local measures across 10 states, according to preliminary results.

— Spencer Kimball,Garrett Downs,Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,Justin Papp, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of broadly

Adverb

Murphy is not up for reelection on Tuesday but had been traveling extensively this fall in support of Democratic candidates.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
While OpenAI cofounder and president Greg Brockman’s story has been told pretty extensively, Anna remains one of the last great mysteries on the AI frontier.

— Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of extensively

Browse Nearby Words

wide-eyed

widely

widemouthed

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Widely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widely. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of widely

adverb

Example Sentences

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