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wide

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word wide different from other adjectives like it?

The words broad and deep are common synonyms of wide. While all three words mean "having horizontal extent," 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

In what contexts can broad take the place of wide?

Although the words broad and wide have much in common, broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered.

broad shoulders

When is deep a more appropriate choice than wide?

In some situations, the words deep and wide are roughly equivalent. However, deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point.

a deep cupboard
deep woods

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 wide
Adjective
Skagway residents frequently travel to Whitehorse, the territory’s capital, for a wider selection of groceries and shopping, dental care, veterinary services and swimming lessons. Dee-Ann Durbin and Sally Ho, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2025 Two federal judges have issued orders requiring the Trump administration to unfreeze trillions of dollars in funding for a wide range of projects, including clean energy. Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
Adverb
Yet his stand-in Ferran Torres could give Raphinha or Lamine Yamal a breather while Fermin Lopez is an additional option out wide. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 Matthews stays with McDavid, which is a fine enough choice in this instance, but Fox also takes the slot as McDavid misses a shot wide and the puck squirts out to the weak-side half-wall. Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wide
Adjective
  • The Dow ended the day up 601 points, or 1.39%, while the broader S&P 500 rose 1.59% and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.63%.
    John Towfighi, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Although the data that the spacecraft gathers will be of broad relevance across all of astronomy, the SPHEREx team has three key science objectives.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Trader Joe's has gained a huge and extensive fan base mostly because of their unique products, cheaper prices, and overall experience.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025
  • These traditional user interfaces are filled with extensive menu options, complex navigation systems and unique labeling systems.
    Praerit Garg, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • Many of these movies no longer feel quite so shocking, their tropes now absorbed into mainstream horror.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Eric was also quite magnetic, especially with women, which was always a bit mysterious.
    Jim Clash, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The average iPhone 16 measures 7.9mm (0.31 inches) thick, and the Galaxy S25 measures 7.2mm (0.28 inches) thick.
    Eric Zeman, PCMAG, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The final product is smooth but not thin, with a thick and intriguing mouthfeel.
    Erik Ofgang, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Musk has called for sweeping cuts to federal government spending, claiming it should be reduced by up to $2 trillion annually.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Musk now overseeing sweeping cuts, even as his companies benefited from some of those very agencies.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • The original, compared to my version, doesn’t really feel a lot faster.
    Katie Bain, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2025
  • While its shift to online platforms and partnerships with broadcasters to distribute its content and programs are showing promise, ABS-CBN’s reduced revenue base isn’t growing fast enough to cover operating and financing costs.
    Ian Sayson, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Brody was last spotted in a deep bar conversation with Chalamet.
    Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Ukraine’s robotic sport plane drone bombers, once reserved for deep strikes on targets hundreds of miles inside Russia, may now be dropping bombs on Russian troops closer to the front line.
    David Axe, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • Alas, this grinder pairing wasn’t quite perfectly calibrated, requiring much tweaking.
    Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The Love Is Blind music factory churns out vaguely uplifting tracks that perfectly suit its theatrics while generating revenue for independent artists.
    Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wide. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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