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

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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
This means that the traditional wipe-off or spin-and-clean style devices mostly just spread the dirt around in the grooves. Parker Hall, WIRED, 8 Mar. 2025 For the Heels, their offense was spread evenly between four of their five starters with Alyssa Ustby (15 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 assists), Reniya Kelly (11 points), Lexi Donarski (12 points), and Indya Nivar (10 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists). Allison Smith, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
Medicated Shampoos Scalp ringworm typically requires oral antifungal medication, but shampoos containing ketoconazole or selenium sulfide help reduce fungal spores and prevent spread. Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 6 Mar. 2025 Since the start of 2025, over 27 million egg-laying hens — 9 percent of the entire national flock — have died from the bird flu or have been (horrifically) killed to slow the spread. Kenny Torrella, Vox, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Verb
  • 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.
    Todd Gordon, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In 1746, authorities investigated Grierson for disseminating Jacobite pamphlets.
    Alexandra Cox, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Well, apparently the Kentucky distillery is continuing its altruistic streak, because starting today nonprofit organizations can apply to the 100 Bourbon Sets for 100 Charities initiative to receive some of its most valuable bottles to auction off to raise money for a series of good causes.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 3 Mar. 2025
  • And this particularly applies to products such as pharmaceuticals.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • One month later, jars of jam with the brand’s logo began circulating among pals like Chrissy Teigen and Mindy Kaling.
    Erin Hill, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The last year has seen a surge in cases of deepfake pornographic images circulating in schools.
    Cyrus Farivar, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Betsy died from hantavirus, a flu-like virus transmitted to humans via rodent urine, saliva and droppings.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
  • What To Know The DOJ announced in a news release on Friday that State Department employee Michael Charles Schena, 42, had been arrested and charged with conspiring to collect and transmit U.S. national defense information to unauthorized recipients.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • For decades afterward and until the advent of internet telephony, Druze families divided by the armistice lines who wanted to communicate with one another did so via megaphone in an area that came to be known as Shouting Hill.
    Uriel Heilman, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Primary care has long been associated with the image of a busy doctor, divided between patients and the administrative grind.
    Stephen Wunker, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The proposal would increase the budget of the seven SODCs by about $28 million, or almost 5%.
    Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Its revenue increased 21% to 18.7 billion yuan ($2.6 billion) in the first nine months of 2024 from the same period in 2023.
    Hassan Tayir, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This book, set in 19th-century New York City, showcases a gentle, low-stakes romance between a bisexual quilt maker and the trans silversmith who hires her to turn his old clothing into a memorial quilt.
    Olivia Waite, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
  • In other words, this is fascinating stuff – not your grandma’s knitted socks or quilt wall.
    John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The multi-week festival features everything from themed to dinners and guest chefs to outdoor skating rinks and theater and drag shows.
    Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • My breakfast, during this time, consisted of porridge only (for the oats) and dinner was some combo of fish, carbs, and greens.
    Daisy Jones, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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