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
Ecology remained characteristic of her approach, but Carson now broadened her aims to encompass a mobilization of public opinion equal to the task of addressing the widespread harms of chemical pesticides in everyday life and agricultural ecosystems alike.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Days later, the ruling party accused him of sabotaging the project on behalf of China and George Soros, echoing widespread antisemitic conspiracy theories that the billionaire Jewish philanthropist seeks to subvert popular rule.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 7 June 2026
If storm chances increase, widespread heat impacts would be lessened.
—Stacey Duford, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Even with widespread skepticism and disregard for health protocols, many in the town are becoming aware of the outbreak’s grave reality.
—Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for widespread
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Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Days later, the ruling party accused him of sabotaging the project on behalf of China and George Soros, echoing widespread antisemitic conspiracy theories that the billionaire Jewish philanthropist seeks to subvert popular rule.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 7 June 2026
If storm chances increase, widespread heat impacts would be lessened.
—Stacey Duford, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Even with widespread skepticism and disregard for health protocols, many in the town are becoming aware of the outbreak’s grave reality.
—Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 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 14 Jun. 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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