widespread

adjective

wide·​spread ˈwīd-ˈspred 

1

: widely diffused or prevalent

widespread public interest

2

: widely extended or spread out

… low, widespread hood and fenders …

—Time

a widespread erosion surface

—C. B. Hitchcock

Synonyms of widespread

• extensive
• broad
• wide
• sweeping
• deep

Examples of widespread in a Sentence

There is widespread public interest in the election.

Trade partners had become more widespread.

There was widespread opposition to the plan.

Recent Examples on the Web

While rights activists accuse Bukele's government of widespread abuses, the country is notably safer than many other countries whose people have recently lost TPS protections. — Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026

And, as the Southland continues to sweat its way through record-setting heat and humidity this week, there have been no widespread calls to reduce energy. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Those latest developments bring the total number of police and sheriff’s officials arrested, fired, put on leave or placed under investigation because of USA TODAY’s reporting on widespread Flock misuse to 22. — Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Matthew Pallai, chief investment officer for private credit at Nomura Asset Management, said yields would need to rise much further to reshape pricing or create a widespread default problem. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for widespread

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead

Kids Definition

widespread

adjective

wide·​spread ˈwīd-ˈspred 

1

: scattered or found over a wide area

widespread interest in the election

2

: spread out over a wide area

widespread wings