BROAD Synonyms: 209 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

broad

adjective

ˈbrȯd

Definition of broad next

as in wide

having a greater than usual measure across an unusually broad expanse of water in the island-dotted lake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in extensive

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

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as in obvious

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation gave them a broad hint that it was time to leave

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as in general

relating to the main elements and not to specific details a broad overview of the topic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of broad Without the additional money that NASA received in 1979 and 1980 — years in which Carter otherwise sought broad spending cuts — the iconic winged orbiter that flew for more years than any other U.S. spacecraft in history may have never left the ground. —

Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 30 Dec. 2024 The broad index ticked lower by 0.04% Thursday then slumped 1.11% Friday (the market was closed Wednesday for Christmas). —

Zev Fima, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2024 There is still interest in a broad range of subject areas in the city, a lot of other genres: poetry, history, different types of fiction. —

Neda Ulaby, NPR, 29 Dec. 2024 Call it premium, as in the case of the Atrium, an impressive, high-ceilinged space dominated by a broad staircase and a grand piano. —

Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 29 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for broad

Recent Examples of Synonyms for broad

Adjective

Carter and those around him hoped that the accords would eventually pave the way to a wider regional peace, centered on a covenant between Israel and the Palestinians.

Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
The company, once an ambitious player in the cloud accounting space, aimed to scale low-cost bookkeeping services to serve a wider base of customers.

Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025