BROAD Synonyms: 209 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'broad' different from other adjectives like it?

The words deep and wide are common synonyms of broad . While all three words mean "having horizontal extent," broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered. // broad shoulders

Q: Where would 'deep' be a reasonable alternative to 'broad'?

The synonyms deep and broad are sometimes interchangeable, but deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point. // a deep cupboard // deep woods

Q: When could 'wide' be used to replace 'broad'?

The words wide and broad are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

broad

adjective

ˈbrȯd

Definition of broad

as in wide

having a greater than usual measure across an unusually broad expanse of water in the island-dotted lake

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in extensive

having considerable extent her broad knowledge of American politics makes her a much-sought-after guest on talk shows

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in obvious

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation gave them a broad hint that it was time to leave

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in general

relating to the main elements and not to specific details a broad overview of the topic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

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

broad shoulders

Where would deep be a reasonable alternative to broad?

The synonyms deep and broad are sometimes interchangeable, but deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point.

a deep cupboard

deep woods

When could wide be used to replace broad?

The words wide and broad are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

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 broad The Sunrise Movement, a left-wing group that pushed global warming as a top issue for young people, switched its mission last fall to a broader mandate of fighting the Republican president. — Nicholas Riccardi, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 The broader test is whether AI agents can learn similar troubleshooting and calibration tasks for other scientific hardware. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026 Rashidian also described accounts of arrests, executions and broader security crackdowns – claims CNN cannot independently verify. — Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 That agreement does not make the regression a substitute for the much broader information incorporated into betting markets. — Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for broad

Recent Examples of Synonyms for broad

Adjective

The Iran war exposed just how much the world relied on a narrow 20-mile-wide waterway.

— Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Not only do the gods have multiple heads and arms, but the gods themselves are multiple, appearing in different forms with an array of different names, and with a wide variety of stories told about them.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of wide

Adjective

Chinese state media, including the Communist Party's flagship newspaper, People's Daily, gave extensive coverage to Xi's encounters with other visiting leaders on Tuesday, but made no mention of the meeting with Pezeshkian.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Neal's research includes extensive work on female astronauts.

— Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of extensive

Adjective

The proximity makes a team’s flaws so obvious, which is why fans sometimes fixate on the three or four major problems with their team rather than highlight the strengths of the group.

— Andy McCullough, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Oakley said there were no obvious signs of foul play or trauma.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of obvious

Adjective

Shelley served as the Warriors’ associate general counsel and director of business and legal affairs and risk management, and Vasquez was the vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
The Israel Defense Forces captured Hamas' head of general security during a raid in Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

— Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of general

Adjective

The Cowboys addressed that Saturday by trading a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for offensive tackle Broderick Jones, who was the 14th overall pick in 2023, and a fourth-round pick.

— Jon Machota, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
But the almost yearlong closure seems to be having an effect — overall attendance at the downtown library is down 31%.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of overall

Adjective

Core aerators remove plugs about 2 to 4 inches deep and around 1/2-inch wide, and spaced about 2 to 6 inches apart, dropping them on the lawn surface.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
Lovano expressed deep gratitude to Collins for steering the festival for many years and keeping the atmosphere alive.

— Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of deep

Cite this Entry

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“Broad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broad. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of broad

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