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 But now, a study published in Ecology and Evolution records the predation of frogs by a family of harvestmen (Opiliones), suggesting that such ecological interactions may be more widespread than previously thought. — Jay Kakade july 13, New Atlas, 14 July 2026 The seemingly haphazard approach to regulating new model releases has led to widespread calls from the AI industry for more consistent regulation. — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 14 July 2026 Trump lost the 2020 race to President Joe Biden, but falsely claimed his defeat was due to widespread voter fraud. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 13 July 2026 But as history reminds us, widespread consensus is not a mathematical proof. — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for widespread

Recent Examples of Synonyms for widespread

Adjective

Thousands of documents released by the Justice Department showed that Ruemmler and Epstein had an extensive relationship.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
Fire officials said the home sustained extensive damage from fire, soot, smoke, and water.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 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

The fires that devastated Collins are part of a wider wildfire emergency unfolding across Canada, where 889 active fires were spreading as of Thursday night, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Scotland set up in a 5-4-1 with Ryan Christie and John McGinn timing when to jump from their wide midfield positions to press the centre-backs and trap their build-up play.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 18 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 19 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of widespread

adjective

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