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
as in quilt
a decorative cloth used as a top covering for a bed
bought a brightly colored spread for summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of spread
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
Living with a weak immune system increases your risk of having more oral herpes outbreaks, which can also spread more easily.1
Herpes sores are very contagious and can spread from kissing or sharing utensils.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 6 July 2025
arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025
The ham is honey-roasted and served with caraway bread and a slightly tangy spread that complements the richness of the meat.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spread
Verb
The fires have now spread into parts of Tartous province, despite the efforts of more than 60 firefighting units.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
Living with a weak immune system increases your risk of having more oral herpes outbreaks, which can also spread more easily.1
Herpes sores are very contagious and can spread from kissing or sharing utensils.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 6 July 2025
Noun
Elsewhere, emergency crews worked to halt the spread of a new blaze that broke out late Thursday near the district of Buca.
—arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025
The ham is honey-roasted and served with caraway bread and a slightly tangy spread that complements the richness of the meat.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Verb
-
Although the scale of this event was not precisely forecast, the storm was anticipated, and warnings about it were disseminated well before its impacts were felt by local residents.—
The Editors,
National Review,
7 July 2025
-
All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
As my Organizational Behavior professor at INSEAD, Kets de Vries challenged us to think about how to apply principles, not just learn them.—
Melanie Hughes,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
The age at which the earnings test no longer applies has changed as well.—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
Walnuts, almonds and pistachios constantly circulate the production facility, undergoing more than 16 hours of processing per batch before being shipped out in lightweight tin cans to retailers and consumers.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
11 July 2025
-
For days, the message circulated on WhatsApp chats, warning of an imminent attack.—
Jacqueline Charles
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
These threads record and transmit neural signals to a computer, enabling users to perform tasks like moving a cursor or turning on a TV.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
7 July 2025
-
These represent a particular threat to above-ground transmission wires, transformers and utility poles, which transmit and distribute most electricity but are thus exposed and vulnerable to the elements.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
Would Anthopoulos be willing to go for it by parting from a promising young catcher to get a pitcher of Giolito's reliability in return?—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
-
The 16-year-old model — whose father is actor Liev Schreiber — also opted for a glowy complexion and wore her blonde hair straightened and parted down the middle.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Over the past year or so, those activities have increased.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 July 2025
-
In a LinkedIn post, Farley called for speeding up permitting processes, increasing spending on vocational training, leveraging robotics and augmented reality to help with these spaces and suggested an AmeriCorps-type program for these roles.—
Breana Noble,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
Shoppers raved about the many benefits to owning the quilt.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 July 2025
-
Featuring knit and crochet items, baby quilts, floral arrangements, jewelry and wooden crafts.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Usually, cafe lattes in the mornings and dinners at the end of busy weeks.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
-
Weeknight dinners and Sunday meal prep don't have to be a chore with these deals on a time-saving air fryer, a compact juicer, and more.—
Jessica Kasparian,
SELF,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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