1
as in to disseminate
to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people
spread the news!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to apply
to put a layer of on a surface
we spread the fertilizer over the lawn evenly until it was fully covered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to circulate
to become known
once news of the war's end had spread, spontaneous celebrations broke out everywhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to transmit
to cause (something) to pass from one to another
living conditions that help to spread chicken pox
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to part
to go or move in different directions from a central point
the walls of the old barn spread under the weight of the snow on the roof
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to increase
to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number
dissatisfaction with the new administration is spreading rapidly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in dinner
a large fancy meal often accompanied by ceremony or entertainment
they really know how to put out a good spread
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in expansion
a wide space or area
a vast spread of land just waiting to be settled
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in distance
the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects
a spread of nearly 100 miles between farms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example 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 spread
Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
As climate change drives hotter, drier, and more extreme weather, these microscopic threats are spreading farther and becoming more resilient — sometimes with deadly consequences.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Joan Morris, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Credit spreads widened, the VIX climbed above 31, and some safe-haven assets, such as gold , stabilized after steep declines and registered inflows.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread
Verb
Transfer pasta mixture to sheet, being sure to scrap out any remaining cheese mixture in bowl, spreading into an even layer if needed.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
As climate change drives hotter, drier, and more extreme weather, these microscopic threats are spreading farther and becoming more resilient — sometimes with deadly consequences.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
In the 1960s, scientists released the decollate snail to combat the spread of the brown snail, but the brown appears to have mostly won out.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Credit spreads widened, the VIX climbed above 31, and some safe-haven assets, such as gold , stabilized after steep declines and registered inflows.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Verb
-
Printmaking and protest Printmaking was one early means of disseminating dissent, said Allison Rudnick, a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Within months of the April opening, the bit had been disseminated widely enough that Redditors and Facebook members were strategizing about how to land the dance for themselves.—
Alexandra Starr,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Financially Distressed City Law allows home-rule municipalities in the top 5% of tax rates and the bottom 5% of tax income per capita to apply for fiscal relief via a state takeover of finances.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The change will not apply to customers who bought tickets before Friday, April 3, the airline said.—
Jordan Freiman,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Town halls across O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island, and Maui shaped the project, as did time spent at Native Books, a space where knowledge circulates through gathering and love.—
Wassan Al-Khudhairi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In some cases, after a long-term infection, the virus is able to re-emerge and begin to circulate again, as seems to have happened in this case.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The data is then transmitted back to Earth at just 160 bits per second.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Rabies, a virus transmitted through bites and scratches, poses risks to both humans and pets.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cyrus's hair, which currently hits just below her shoulders, has been cut in swingy layers hear her face, with her bangs parted in the center and falling past her brow bone.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Since parting, Shabaka has performed mononymously as a solo flautist and Skinner joined members of Radiohead to form the offshoot band the Smile.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Farmers had hoped to compensate for last year's losses, when farm bankruptcies increased for the second year in a row.—
Lana Zak,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The goal is to complete the project ahead of the FIFA World Cup, when traffic and pedestrian activity are expected to increase downtown.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Within the lone star pattern of the quilt, gifted to her posthumously, were also Safari giraffes and zebras and elephants.—
Angela George,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
26 Mar. 2026
-
On top, a double quilt filled with chemical-free 650+ down drapes over you like a comforter.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If dinner plans conflict with deadlines, propose takeout and a raincheck tonight.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Mayer envisioned rocking chairs, crisp linens and tasty dinners.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
