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

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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 With majority power comes bigger budgets and staff, and the ability to investigate, subpoena and potentially course-correct what the Democrats say are widespread corruption and abuses of power. — Lisa Mascaro, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026 The frame is squarish in shape, recalling the years before wide-screens were widespread; the colors, especially the flesh tones, are luridly oversaturated. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026 Decades of energy transition policies led to the widespread decommissioning of coal plants. — CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026 Sick old facilities Mold caused the most widespread disruptions. — Rebecca Smullin Dawson, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for widespread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for widespread
  1. extensive
  2. broad
  3. wide
  4. sweeping
  5. deep
Adjective
  • Avila said the attack left her with severe injuries to her arm and face, extensive scarring, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In that hands-on evaluation, the reviewer put the Flow 2 through extensive real-world testing across two months in a demanding household environment, covering over 100 cleaning jobs and more than 18,500 square feet of floor space.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of extensive
Adjective
  • ConnCORP, meanwhile, is spearheading First HAVEN, a broader $200 million redevelopment project in Dixwell.
    — P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, it is intended to become a broader technology ecosystem combining private companies, investment, research and development and military testing.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of broad
Adjective
  • Four of these angles implicitly frame the corners of a square, while a fifth seems to indicate a wider area around it.
    — Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The Trasks encounter a wide swath of citizens, haggling with sneaky cheats, exploiting innocent fools, and befriending big-hearted neighbors.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of wide
Adjective
  • The Ratepayer Protection Act, meant to prevent data centers from raising electricity prices, enjoyed sweeping support in the House from all but three Democrats while all but four of their colleagues in the Senate opposed it.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The Justice Department’s settlement proposal at the time sought sweeping changes to admissions, protest rules and other campus policies, including a public declaration that UCLA does not recognize transgender people’s gender identities.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of sweeping
Adjective
  • Democrats’ hopes rise in Texas Democrats are feeling newly optimistic about Texas, even in deep-red seats.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Later, Mars trines Neptune in your 8th House, making deeper reflection feel more intuitive than analytical.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 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 3 Oct. 2026.

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