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

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 Brighton have rebuffed widespread loan interest from Championship clubs after Cozier-Duberry helped Bolton Wanderers to promotion via the League One play-offs last season with nine goals and 13 assists in 37 games. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 The goals, such as lower drug prices and nutrition classes for doctors, have widespread appeal, cutting across party lines and economic divisions. — Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 The Spanish-language film stars Oscar winner Javier Bardem opposite recent Pedro Almodóvar collaborator Victoria Luengo in performances that drew widespread acclaim in Cannes. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026 Given that Mitchell filed his lawsuit in Kentucky, the widespread hunch was that UK would be his choice. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for widespread

Recent Examples of Synonyms for widespread

Adjective

Police said the home was immediately secured as a crime scene and investigators began the extensive work of documenting the scene, collecting evidence, conducting interviews and pursuing leads.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Customers can upload their own photos, or choose artworks from an extensive online gallery before selecting all of the details, including size, material, matting, and glazing.

— Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of extensive

Adjective

Netanyahu is not on record as making that remark, but the slogan reflects a broader narrative promoted by Iranian hardliners, portraying women who do not wear the hijab as, at the very least, disloyal to their country.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Gonzalez Rogers is overseeing the broader multidistrict litigation consolidating nearly 3,000 pending lawsuits against Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube over alleged harms to children and teens.

— Jeffrey Kopp, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of broad

Adjective

Trade talks with Canada collapsed late Friday night, setting in motion steep 50% tariffs on a wide swath of Canadian goods.

— Steve Kopack, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2026
Culinary Experiences All 8 million New Yorkers bring unique perspectives and ways of life to the city, which makes way for many vibrant neighborhoods with a wide array of foods to try.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of wide

Adjective

Struggle for self-sufficiency The devastating outbreak reshaped China’s blood products industry, prompting sweeping regulations throughout the entire chain from plasma collection to clinical use.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Trump first threatened to impose the sweeping 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods on July 20, 2026.

— Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of sweeping

Adjective

There was no controversy about this New York win, a night after Pete Alonso's deep fly ball against the Yankees was ruled foul with the game tied.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Born and raised in Nogales, Mexico, the fourth of twelve children, Trujillo had deep community roots.

— Allie Torgan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of deep

Browse Nearby Words

wide-ranging

widespread

widget

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Style

“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widespread. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of widespread

adjective

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