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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Her authentic performance as Jia, a deaf girl who shares a unique bond with Kong, earned widespread praise and helped increase representation of deaf actors in major Hollywood productions. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026 The announcement prompted widespread support from the baseball community as Barbosa now focuses on his health battle. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 However, the technology is not yet ready for widespread industrial deployment. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026 Earlier this year, at least 110 people were killed by widespread flooding and landslides in several parts of the country. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for widespread

Recent Examples of Synonyms for widespread

Adjective

Leading firms are actively recruiting professionals with extensive client-side experience to enhance service delivery.

— Will Johnson, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Burke’s lawyers sought to expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, questioning why investigators had not conducted more extensive testing, including DNA analysis, on certain items found in Burke’s home or on the exterior of his Tesla.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026

Definition of extensive

Adjective

Shinto was formally separated from the state after World War II, but its traditions still reflect a broader history of religious and cultural influences.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
The investigation is part of a broader crackdown on what’s known as birth tourism, the practice of traveling to another country, so a child is born there.

— Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2026

Definition of broad

Adjective

Protesters blame Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and demand his resignation, but the demonstrations have since expanded into a wider anger over government accountability, spreading to other cities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Demonstrators have clashed this week with police officers, whose tactics have further fueled youth anger and drawn wider support for the protest movement.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of wide

Adjective

Hiring Epstein as president of baseball operations after the 2011 season led to sweeping changes.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Health effects from inhaling wildfire smoke But the effects are sweeping, said Hayden, who has developed real-time mapping of mortality estimates from wildfire smoke.

— Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 18 July 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 25 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of widespread

adjective

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