widespread

adjective

ˈwīd-ˈspred How to pronounce widespread (audio)
Definition of widespreadnext
as in extensive
having considerable extent a widespread area of drought

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 widespread Corpus Christi, Laredo, San Antonio, Brownsville and Kerrville are among the South Texas cities under a flood watch through Monday morning, where widespread rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches are likely. — ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026 The action snowballed into widespread expressions of dissatisfaction with the cost of living and job prospects. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2026 The album earned widespread critical acclaim for its intricate arrangements and the distinctive interplay between Lloyd’s and Verlaine’s guitars. — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2026 The zoo also recently renovated its orangutan habitat and is working to recover from attendance declines during the COVID-19 pandemic, a widespread problem for many similar organizations. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for widespread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widespread
  1. extensive
  2. broad
  3. wide
  4. sweeping
  5. deep
Adjective
  • Fraser Shilling, director of the Road Ecology Center, and his team determined that extensive fencing on highways is the solution to reducing roadkill, not just wildlife crossings.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The plan does not include crosswalks, which city spokesperson Jack VanderToll said require more extensive work such as accessible sidewalks and curb ramps.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of extensive
Adjective
  • The radar systems are expected to provide an important detection and tracking layer within the broader US counter-UAS architecture.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • But the midterms revealed a broad backlash against redistricting efforts in the South that were aimed at boosting Republicans and, by extension, reducing Black representation.
    — BILL BARROW, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of broad
Adjective
  • Days after losing the governor’s race by a wide margin, Republican Steve Hilton argued Thursday his campaign should serve as a template for future GOP tickets and hinted at a potential second run for governor.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The top looks so similar to the sweater Rory wore in the show’s very first episode, and the pants have a wide fit and stretchy waistband that will accommodate second helpings of dinner.
    — Natalie LaBarbera, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of wide
Adjective
  • Choose the next manageable step, and leave the sweeping verdict for another day.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
  • There’s also fine French cuisine at Nouvelle Epoque in the adjoining wing, and The Orchid offers elegant all-day dining with sweeping views, and Toh-Ka-Lin is the Chinese option.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of sweeping
Adjective
  • That gives camper travelers the ability to drive cleanly and quietly through city centers, around campgrounds and down deep forest roads.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • In the Soil Grubs and some types of moth larvae may dig in even deeper and overwinter directly in the soil itself.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of deep

Browse Nearby Words

wide-ranging
widespread
widget
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widespread. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gauntlet

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All