WIDESPREAD Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

widespread

adjective

ˈwīd-ˈspred

Definition of widespread

as in extensive

having considerable extent a widespread area of drought

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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 Still, Republicans are hoping a fraud scandal involving the widespread theft of public funds will give them an opening up and down the ballot. — Jonathan J. Cooper, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 The rising toll came as rescue workers and volunteers searched through the night for people trapped beneath rubble in western Colombia, where Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó and Buenaventura were among the cities showing widespread destruction. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026 With widespread distribution of the lettuce, investigators were able to detect a clear signal from Taco Bell. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026 There were also widespread drought, wildfires and heavy rain in nearly every corner of the country. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for widespread

Recent Examples of Synonyms for widespread

Adjective

Bannister's extensive career began with Coscarelli and Angus Scrimm in 1975, leading to their legendary Phantasm collaboration.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Dozens of people have died in Riselralda, a department in the heart of the Coffee Axis, and cities throughout the region have reported extensive damage.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of extensive

Adjective

Rather than occasional long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries, Ukraine is now carrying out frequent attacks on refineries, oil tankers, power substations and broader energy infrastructure, according to ACLED’s Polishchuk.

— Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Parnell said the push for speedier delivery was part of a broader modernization effort that predated the five-month-old conflict.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of broad

Adjective

My mom raves about Vuori loungewear, and there’s currently a pair of the brand’s airy, feather-soft wide-leg pants on sale for 25 percent off.

— Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
About 40 Gullah Geechee still live on the island year-round in modest dwellings, such as cottages and single-wide trailers.

— Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of wide

Adjective

Senate Republicans originally proposed adding $1 billion in taxpayer security funding for the ballroom as part of a sweeping immigration and border security package in May, but ultimately dropped that provision after significant bipartisan backlash.

— Rachel Treisman, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026
His surprising departure during ESPN's sweeping summer layoffs raised immediate questions about whether viewers had seen the last of him on the network.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of sweeping

Browse Nearby Words

wide-ranging

widespread

widget

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

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Synonyms of widespread

adjective

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