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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
Chicago health department advises residents to check measles vaccination status The Chicago Department of Public Health is advising city residents to check their measles vaccination records, as the illness continues to spread in other parts of the country. Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 The results came back as a Brucella suis infection, which causes a rare bacterial disease in humans and is spread by animals, according to the CDC. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
The spicy pepper relish is balanced perfectly with a spread of creamy goat cheese to make for a satisfying bite. Abby Fribush, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025 But that fine also went unpaid, and so far authorities have been largely unable to constrain the spread of these libraries online. Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 20 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.
    Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Cuts already have decimated the department’s ability to fund, evaluate and disseminate research.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The deadline to apply for SBA low-interest loans is also Monday.
    Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Shortly before the end of Biden’s term in January, the Department of Education issued a fact sheet contending that Title IX applies to colleges’ direct payments to athletes reflecting revenue share/NIL.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But their works were either quickly banned or circulated only underground.
    Ian Johnson, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
  • It's been circulating after news stories about green card holders now fighting deportation after participating in pro-Palestinian campus protests and traveling abroad.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • While the underlying facts may seem unimportant and mundane—a random person watching a video on NBA.com and a cookie transmitting some data for Facebook ads—the NBA urges the Court to play out the Second Circuit’s reasoning.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported a surge in borrower complaints during that period, and a Government Accountability Office review found that important information (like counts of qualifying PSLF payments) was sometimes transmitted incorrectly between servicers.
    Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The new retrospective is divided into seven chapters that showcase different thematic or formal aspects of Abercrombie’s career, including the miniatures and still lifes that are often overlooked.
    Jeremy Lybarger, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Crockett made the comments while criticizing Democrats for becoming divided on the issue.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The change was stark, as Paramount has been a leader in promoting diversity in Hollywood, championing initiatives to increase representation on-screen through programming as well as behind the scenes, through programs designed to diversify writers, directors and producers.
    Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Sucralose increased brain activity in the hypothalamus and feelings of hunger compared to sugar, especially in participants with obesity.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Featuring knit and crochet items, baby quilts, floral arrangements, jewelry and wooden crafts.
    Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Use it for storing away seasonal clothes, or in the linen closet for holding onto extra sheets, pillows, blankets, towels, or quilts.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • On March 21, Hailey and Justin were spotted grabbing dinner at every celeb's fave spot in Los Angeles: Sushi Park.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2025
  • In the evenings, parents gathered to watch kids play in the makeshift roads before dinner and bedtime.
    Courtney Crowder, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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