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wide

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word wide different from other adjectives like it?

The words broad and deep are common synonyms of wide. While all three words mean "having horizontal extent," wide is more common when units of measurement are mentioned, or when applied to unfilled space between limits.

rugs eight feet wide
a wide doorway

In what contexts can broad take the place of wide?

Although the words broad and wide have much in common, broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered.

broad shoulders

When is deep a more appropriate choice than wide?

In some situations, the words deep and wide are roughly equivalent. However, deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point.

a deep cupboard
deep woods

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 wide
Adjective
The show is set in 1972, when the cars were wide, the engines were big and the seatbelts were mostly decorative. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 13 May 2025 According to data intelligence firm Morning Consult, DEI is one of the hot-button issues that produces the widest partisan gaps in what Americans want brands to talk about. Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 2 May 2025
Adverb
Often, places didn’t live up to the listings, with professional photos that turned dark into light, small into large, narrow into wide. Joyce Cohen, New York Times, 1 May 2025 Phones raised and eyes wide, people waved and cheered at the marching soldiers. Aniruddha Ghosal, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wide
Adjective
  • Yet regulation alone hasn’t resolved broader disparities.
    Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • On a broader stage, there is Mamie Gummer, eldest daughter of the Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep.
    Lynne Agress, Baltimore Sun, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • Google got in early with its extensive Pixel 9 discount, Samsung is preparing to launch its new Galaxy S25 Edge with a money-off promotion, and now the iPhone 16 has joined in with price cuts across all models of the 2024 Apple phone.
    Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
  • Design That Adapts to Real Life Unlike traditional central systems, mini split air conditioning does not require extensive ductwork or invasive installation.
    Jon Stojan, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Adverb
  • Almost, but not quite spontaneously, Adam and Teddy take off in Teddy’s truck, heading north, maybe to the arctic, maybe to just get out of town for a bit.
    John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
  • Montverde won the final event, the 4×400 relay, in 3 minutes 45.5 seconds but that wasn’t quite enough.
    Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Starting with the build, the Swift Edge 14 AI measures just 0.65 inch thick and weighs 2.18 pounds.
    Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 16 May 2025
  • At the opposite end of the court, a thick layer of melancholy was present.
    Kelly Iko, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Nissan on May 13 announced sweeping cuts across the company with plans to lay off another 11,000 employees and close more than a half-dozen plants across the globe.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • More so than Trump's deportations or sweeping government cuts, many now believe this could be it.
    Nik Popli, Time, 13 May 2025
Adverb
  • This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2025
  • Not only will this reduce water waste, but that leftover water contains nutrients that can boost plant growth and even help seeds germinate faster.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • The viral dystopic show, which centers around main character Seong Gi-hun or Player 456 (Lee Jung-jae), has delighted fans since its 2021 premiere, combining classic thriller elements with a deeper exploration of the human capacity for evil and the perils of an unequal society. Surprise!
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Our coaches have such deep empathy for our student athletes.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025
Adverb
  • Pascaline Chavanne’s costumes, especially Seberg’s wardrobe of minute cardigans and jaunty silk scarves, strike every note perfectly.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 May 2025
  • My favorite looks, though, were always ones that perfectly encapsulated #MinnieStyle.
    Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wide. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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