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 A week later comes Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which is widely considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. — David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Since the curvy outdoor pool was widely unavailable for our extreme North Pole voyage, guests took dips in the heated indoor pool instead. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026 About 100 years ago, Oxford researchers observed bacteria that could destroy penicillin, even before the drug was widely used. — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 Deployed rapidly, widely shared The attacks lacked the stealth found in many campaigns. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for widely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for widely

Adverb

These uniquely American and universally known cultural icons, who recently died within days of each other, represented quite divergent versions of modern womanhood.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026
Savory potato kugel, however, is almost universally pleasing.

— Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of universally

Adverb

Natalie Wood is taken to the Fillmore Animal Hospital for amputation surgery due to her extensively fractured back leg, which would have cost at least $8,000 to try to heal.

— Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Scholars from ancient Greece—most notably Plato, for whom they are named—studied them extensively.

— Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of extensively

Browse Nearby Words

wide-eyed

widely

widemouthed

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“Widely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widely. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of widely

adverb

Example Sentences

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