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
Timea widespread erosion surface—C. B. Hitchcock
C. B. HitchcockExamples 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
Misfires in the transfer market, a widespread injury crisis and an overambitious tactical game plan saw everything unravel.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Constant changes and slow IRS guidance led to widespread confusion and, eventually, abuse that forced the IRS to put a moratorium on claims on September 14, 2023 until August 8, 2024.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 17 May 2026
Fire weather also impacting the Plains and Southwest Parts of the Plains and Southeast are also expecting critical fire weather conditions to continue into this week amid widespread warm, dry and windy conditions.
—Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 17 May 2026
Eight of 13 laboratory samples tested positive for Bundibugyo virus, a high positivity rate suggesting widespread infection.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for widespread
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Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Constant changes and slow IRS guidance led to widespread confusion and, eventually, abuse that forced the IRS to put a moratorium on claims on September 14, 2023 until August 8, 2024.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 17 May 2026
Fire weather also impacting the Plains and Southwest Parts of the Plains and Southeast are also expecting critical fire weather conditions to continue into this week amid widespread warm, dry and windy conditions.
—Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 17 May 2026
Eight of 13 laboratory samples tested positive for Bundibugyo virus, a high positivity rate suggesting widespread infection.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for widespread
Cite this Entry
“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widespread. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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