1
: over or through a wide area
has traveled widely
2
: to a great extent
departed widely from the previous edition
3
: by or among a large well-dispersed group of people
a widely known political figure
4
: over a broad range
persons with widely fluctuating incomes—
Current Biography
Current BiographyExamples of widely in a Sentence
Their products are widely available.
a widely known political figure
The books are widely read by adults as well as children.
Recent Examples on the Web
Health organizations are also concerned about infectious diseases, which spread more quickly and widely in hot environments.
—Anas Baba, NPR, 27 Apr. 2024
Some of the most popular and widely used nasal decongestants contain ingredients like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, which work fast to relieve sinus pressure and congestion.
—Daley Quinn, Health, 26 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for widely 
Anas Baba, NPR, 27 Apr. 2024
Some of the most popular and widely used nasal decongestants contain ingredients like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, which work fast to relieve sinus pressure and congestion.
—Daley Quinn, Health, 26 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for widely
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'widely.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Widely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widely. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
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