widespread

adjective

wide·​spread ˈwīd-ˈspred How to pronounce widespread (audio)
Synonyms of widespread
1
: widely diffused or prevalent
widespread public interest
2
: widely extended or spread out
… low, widespread hood and fenders …—Time
a widespread erosion surface—C. B. Hitchcock

Synonyms of widespread

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Examples of widespread in a Sentence

There is widespread public interest in the election. Trade partners had become more widespread. There was widespread opposition to the plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Extreme tropical weather led to two deaths in Mexico and caused widespread damage over the weekend as Hurricane Simon pounded the country's Pacific coast, authorities said Monday. — Jaimie Ding, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026 While widespread awareness of breast cancer has helped save lives, persistent myths about the disease continue to cause dangerous delays in screening, treatment and follow-up. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 The rally began amid widespread pessimism about inflation and the economy, yet none of those setbacks managed to derail it. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026 Chinese companies can draw on real-world data from the country’s vast manufacturing base and widespread deployment of robots, giving them a data advantage that none of their competitors alone can match. — Scott Singer, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for widespread

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of widespread was in the 15th century

Rhymes for widespread

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Browse Nearby Words

wide-screen
widespread
wide-spreading
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Cite this Entry

“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widespread. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

widespread

adjective
wide·​spread ˈwīd-ˈspred How to pronounce widespread (audio)
1
: scattered or found over a wide area
widespread interest in the election
2
: spread out over a wide area
widespread wings
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