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wide

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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
As for the chair itself, the deep, wide seat is comfortable enough to sit in for hours. Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 12 July 2025 Brian Cashman is casting a wide net to try and bring someone in, but the Bronx Bombers are running out of time. Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
Adverb
Heading into next season, though, Morey will also be the first to tell you the Eastern Conference is wide open in a way that even Philadelphia couldn’t have predicted. Tony Jones, New York Times, 12 July 2025 The Eastern Conference is wide open after the brutal injuries to both Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton during the playoffs, and now the Knicks are saddled with the expectations of excellence. Tom Rende, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for wide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wide
Adjective
  • If President Donald Trump moves forward with plans to reinstate broad tariffs on dozens of countries in August, and follows through on additional threats, prices could climb even further.
    Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 23 July 2025
  • Further details about Stargate and the broader partnership are not immediately known.
    Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • This characterization, which is usually reserved for drug cartels or mafia groups, enables the French police to deploy extensive investigative powers under French law, including wiretapping the personal devices of X employees.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 July 2025
  • The Interview, Part One In this two-part discussion, Rockwell reflects on his extensive career and speaks to the many considerations that go into designing a restaurant.
    Sofia Perez, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Adverb
  • But there quite clearly remains a lot of work to do.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 21 July 2025
  • Biggest question: Can Ben Johnson unlock Swift? Johnson is quite familiar with what Swift does well.
    Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Sides of hand-cut fries ($3) were fairly standard, and onion rings ($5) were thick and addictively crunchy.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 14 July 2025
  • The three-day Tampa conference was thick with criticism of DOJ and disbelief that the president could have let so many people down.
    Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • In 1970, when a nearly unanimous Congress approved sweeping changes strengthening federal air pollution laws, one proviso allowed California in many cases to craft its own rules — a recognition of the challenge the Golden State faced in dealing with the nation’s worst smog problem.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • But the top Trump advisor picked April 1, the day before Trump announced sweeping tariffs, to make the sale, according to disclosure reports obtained by USA TODAY.
    Suhail Bhat, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Adverb
  • Earth is expected to spin slightly faster on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
    Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
  • Hospital costs are also growing twice as fast as the median household’s income.
    Wayne Winegarden, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • On the evening of July 3rd, as the sun went down over Kerrville, Texas, a small city of some twenty-five thousand people and the seat of Kerr County, the water in the Guadalupe River was just four inches deep, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s stream gauge there.
    John Seabrook, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
  • Bullying is often a symptom of something deeper, like insecurity, anxiety, trauma, or difficulty regulating emotions, says Shaw.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 21 July 2025
Adverb
  • Mountains rise suddenly and everywhere, reflected perfectly in the still fjords and inlets beneath, as if replicating the Game of Thrones intro.
    Phil Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
  • Encouraging the fans in the studio to get on their feet and get into it, the quartet has the crowd clapping along to its mostly a cappella performance of the song that perfectly blends yearning, soulful singing with cowgirl attitude and acoustic twang.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wide. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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