spread 1 of 2

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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

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as in to circulate
to become known once news of the war's end had spread, spontaneous celebrations broke out everywhere

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as in to divide
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

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spread

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noun

1
as in quilt
a decorative cloth used as a top covering for a bed bought a brightly colored spread for summer

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as in spectrum
the distance or extent between possible extremes the spread of grades was from 15 to 79 on that quiz

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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
Verb
Dangerous cold for millions Arctic air spreads across much of the US this week, and for some states, the extreme cold could last for days. Allison Chinchar, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025 Meanwhile, an arctic blast is spreading southward across much of the country throughout the next few days. Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
Fox News host Bret Baier paid $37 million for a 6,700-square-foot Palm Beach mansion in 2023, while Sean Hannity upgraded his $5 million townhouse to a $23.5 million spread in nearby Manalapan in November. Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025 Yet for decades, big oil spread denial and doubt about the harm of its products, undermining the science and preventing meaningful action on climate change even as the global climate crisis became increasingly dire, and its deadly impact on Americans increased. Sabrina Haake, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for spread 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Verb
  • Currently, no other organization has the capacity to coordinate international rapid response efforts, to share medical research and innovation and to disseminate critical intelligence.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Monetary donations to families’ GoFundMe campaigns are ideal because the process is streamlined, efficient, and can be easier than having to coordinate where to send, and how to disseminate physical items.
    Essence, Essence, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The 30% promo also applies to Mexico City and Cancún, The carrier transported more than 1.2 million passengers in 2024 and expects that to increase to 1.7 million in 2025.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The memo suggests that officials prioritize immigrants who have been in the country longer than a year but who have not applied for asylum.
    Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • With that math in mind, Republicans in Congress circulated a 50-page list of ideas to cover the costs of extending the tax cuts.
    Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The Trojan builder has been circulating on GitHub pages, Telegram channels, and file-sharing services, where other hackers can download it for free.
    Michael Kan, PCMAG, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Windows are a huge factor in whether a home burns down, because so much heat is transmitted through them.
    CBS News, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Garcia transmitted the cash in four installments and charged an under-the-table fee of $50 for each wire.
    Jason Green, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The galleries are categorized according to three themes — religion, kingship, and society — and divided into historical eras: Predynastic, the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, the Late Kingdom, Ptolemaic (Greek) Egypt, and the Roman period.
    Kate McMahon, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Astrology divides the zodiac into elemental groups: Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces Each element reflects a distinct set of traits and tendencies.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Taxes increased, public spending was reined in, and price controls were largely abolished.
    Marina P. Asins, Architectural Digest, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Another 2021 study found that sleep deprivation increased levels of cortisol during interpersonal conflict.
    Daisy Jones, Vogue, 26 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Up the street, other returning residents hauled sofas, quilts and cushions into their front yards.
    Jack Healy, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Nubby quilts warm up the bedrooms, a sultry Soane fabric dresses up a thrift shop–found sofa, and an original soapstone sink rough up the new mudroom.
    Jennifer Fernandez, Architectural Digest, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Last year, on Feb. 29, Callie hosted its first Pairings with a Purpose dinner.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The evening transitioned seamlessly into dinner and dancing, with the château’s grand interiors providing the perfect backdrop.
    Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

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