Synonyms of broad

broad

adjective

ˈbrȯd 

1

as in wide

having a greater than usual measure across

an unusually broad expanse of water in the island-dotted lake

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wide
• thick
• extensive
• expansive
• sweeping
• fat
• sizeable
• spacious
• sizable
• substantial
• voluminous
• roomy
• commodious
• oversized
• outsized
• tidy
• oversize
• outsize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• narrow
• thin
• slender
• skinny
• slim
• fine
• elongated
• hairlike
• needlelike
• tight
• elongate
• close
• paper-thin
• small
• squeezed
• tightened
• constricted
• condensed
• compressed
• slim-jim
• reedlike
• hairline
• contracted
• attenuated
• smallish
• undersized
• bottleneck
• undersize
• attenuate

2

as in extensive

having considerable extent

her broad knowledge of American politics makes her a much-sought-after guest on talk shows

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wide
• extensive
• sweeping
• deep
• extended
• expansive
• comprehensive
• widespread
• general
• wide-ranging
• far-reaching
• rangy
• far-flung
• inclusive
• global
• infinite
• endless
• unlimited
• boundless
• limitless
• spacious
• roomy
• commodious
• capacious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• narrow
• limited
• restricted
• circumscribed

3

as in obvious

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation

gave them a broad hint that it was time to leave

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obvious
• unmistakable
• apparent
• evident
• clear
• straightforward
• distinct
• unambiguous
• transparent
• simple
• lucid
• visible
• unequivocal
• plain
• luminous
• clear-cut
• bright-line
• decided
• manifest
• perspicuous
• crystal clear
• ringing
• patent
• bald
• pellucid
• palpable
• comprehensible
• explicit
• barefaced
• unambivalent
• noticeable
• open-and-shut
• intelligible
• tangible
• understandable
• nonambiguous
• luculent
• bald-faced
• recognizable
• appreciable
• digestible
• sensible
• uncomplicated
• knowable
• cognizable
• tidy
• observable
• discernible
• overt
• clean-cut
• perceptible
• undisguised
• discernable
• graspable
• fathomable
• trenchant
• comprehendible
• well-defined
• self-evident
• self-explanatory
• black-and-white
• readable
• legible
• cognoscible
• clean
• decipherable
• fair

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ambiguous
• dark
• obscure
• indistinct
• mysterious
• unclear
• enigmatic
• equivocal
• cryptic
• clouded
• incomprehensible
• unintelligible
• unfathomable
• vague
• unknowable
• indecipherable
• gray
• enigmatical
• subtle
• grey
• nebulous
• imperceptible
• nonobvious
• indefinite
• unapparent
• indeterminate
• imprecise
• unclarified
• slippery
• hazy
• inappreciable
• impalpable
• sketchy
• misty
• murky
• obfuscated
• insensible
• cloudy
• noncommittal
• gauzy
• indiscernible
• illegible
• unreadable
• undecipherable

4

as in general

relating to the main elements and not to specific details

a broad overview of the topic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• general
• overall
• comprehensive
• vague
• wide
• nonspecific
• all-round
• extensive
• vast
• expansive
• bird's-eye
• inclusive
• sweeping
• panoramic
• infinite
• all-around
• boundless
• nebulous
• indeterminate
• nondescript
• absolute
• unspecified
• unlimited
• unrestricted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• specific
• detailed
• limited
• molecular
• distinct
• restricted
• full
• comprehensive
• explicit
• precise
• sharp
• specified
• particularized
• thorough
• elaborate
• delineated
• individual
• particular
• close-up
• singular
• peculiar
• itemized
• enumerated
• listed
• mapped (out)
• inventoried

Synonym Chooser

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

The words deep and wide are common synonyms of broad. While all three words mean "having horizontal extent," broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered.

broad shoulders

Where would deep be a reasonable alternative to broad?

The synonyms deep and broad are sometimes interchangeable, but deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point.

a deep cupboard

deep woods

When could wide be used to replace broad?

The words wide and broad are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of broad

While his overall level of performance improved in the broader sense, with Sesko becoming more connected with the rest of the Leipzig side, his goalscoring numbers were down. —David Ornstein, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025

Hispanic voters also trended more negative in both surveys, signaling a broader pattern of disengagement among communities of color. —Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025

Meanwhile, the broader U-6 gauge of unemployment—which includes people who haven’t looked for work recently but are still interested in finding a job as well as people who are involuntarily working part time and would prefer a full-time role—has climbed by 0.4 percentage points this year. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2025

Further details about Stargate and the broader partnership are not immediately known. —Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025