spread 1 of 2

1
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
5
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6

spread

2 of 2

noun

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
3
4
as in spectrum
the distance or extent between possible extremes the spread of grades was from 15 to 79 on that quiz

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

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
Hunger has spread in Gaza, with UN agencies warning of impending famine without a drastic scaling up of aid entering the territory and being distributed across it. Tim Lister, CNN Money, 31 May 2025 Symptoms often begins with tingling and weakness in the feet and legs that spreads to the upper body and arms, though some people notice the first symptoms in the arms or face. Toria Sheffield, People.com, 31 May 2025
Noun
By the numbers: The startup currently partners with over 30 financial institutions in Latin America and earns money through transaction fees and FX spreads. Ryan Lawler, Axios, 28 May 2025 Shelves are stocked with intriguing ingredients, sauces and spreads, also available from the San Juan online store. Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 21 May 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.com, 1 June 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.
    Carter Braxton Worth, CNBC, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • The highest rating a Star Wars film ever got was PG-13, the rating consistently applied to films in the franchise since 2005's Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
    EW.com, EW.com, 26 May 2025
  • The same applies to the other numbers noted in the study, 6835, 7637, 8093, and 9629.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • In a video circulated widely on social media, three officers stand guard while a fourth tries to handcuff Erin, then slings her to the ground face first.
    Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
  • The video was circulated online by social media accounts, many of whom appear to be European and American right-wing profiles that are typically critical of Macron, who used the incident to question his relationship with his wife or to attack his masculinity.
    Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • Other pathogens require more direct contact to be transmitted.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • These pick up signals from his neurons and transmit them wirelessly to his MacBook Pro.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Fallout from President Trump’s break with Elon Musk is roiling a Republican Party that was already divided over the fate of the president’s landmark legislation.
    Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • Model parallelism divides the neural network itself across hardware.
    Jitender Jain, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • In the past 12 months alone, revenue increased 8.1% from $372 billion to $400 billion.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • These stressors seem to be taking a toll; measurements show anxiety and sleep deprivation among adolescents are rising, and even teen suicide attempts are increasing.
    Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • Featuring knit and crochet items, baby quilts, floral arrangements, jewelry and wooden crafts.
    Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2025
  • El Camino Quilters is a nonprofit group that donates hundreds of quilts and other handmade items to a variety of groups including Rady Children’s Hospital, senior centers, hospitals, police and military groups.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Many of the largest dahlias, sometimes called dinner plate dahlias, are in the late-blooming category.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025
  • She was recently spotted out to dinner with Selena Gomez and enjoying a date night with Kelce.
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on spread

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!