SPREADING Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

spreading 1 of 2

adjective

as in infectious

exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others spreading enthusiasm that got our club rolling again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

spreading

2 of 2

verb

present participle of spread

as in disseminating

to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people spread the news!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in applying

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

as in circulating

to become known once news of the war's end had spread, spontaneous celebrations broke out everywhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in transmitting

to cause (something) to pass from one to another living conditions that help to spread chicken pox

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in separating

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

as in increasing

to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number dissatisfaction with the new administration is spreading rapidly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 spreading

Verb

Demonstrations over corruption and a lack of jobs have begun spreading throughout Albania. — Reuters, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026 On top of these lawsuits, social media platforms are facing a loss of business as bans for minors are accelerating and spreading worldwide. — Ari Lightman, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 Aside from spreading fear and anxiety through the agricultural labor force — which might be the point, if the hope is many will self-deport — the surge is having some other bizarre and probably unintended consequences. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 But if there is strong evidence of malware spreading from that server to other systems, the potential cost of waiting may be greater than the potential cost of isolating the server. — Asaf Wiener, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 At first, the officers tried to put out the fire with extinguishers, but the flames kept spreading into the passenger compartment. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 When firefighters arrived, the fire was spreading quickly among the SUVs. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2026 Northeast Kansas City residents have expressed concerns about lack of community feedback and concentrating homeless services in certain areas, potentially overburdening a few neighborhoods rather than spreading services out more throughout the city. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026 Was the virus spreading between people – the start of a pandemic that could kill millions? — Raj Panjabi, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spreading

Adjective

The necropsy found that Jackie had multiple conditions, including a type of infectious avian flu.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
In the pre-choruses, the chords and background vocals fill the spaces around Swift’s fragmented, stop-start lead vocal, creating an infectious call-and-response flow.

— David Penn, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of infectious

Verb

The order and accompanying legislation must be designed so that collecting and disseminating foreign trade secrets advances defense and intelligence priorities and does not unduly distort the free market.

— DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
Mid-market carve-outs rarely command a TSA long enough to deliberate, so the real skill is collecting and disseminating the supporting information quickly enough that leadership can make sound choices in rapid succession.

— Miki Kapoor, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of disseminating

Verb

Available pre-mixed in tubs, thinset is the standard material for applying—and reapplying—tile to walls or floors.

— Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 Oct. 2026
Only one parent called to vent about the university’s response to the lawsuit, but her son was still planning on applying early decision.

— Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of applying

Verb

Hours later, a neighbor showed him a disturbing video circulating online of a dog that had been hanged in a Lynwood alley less than a mile from Reyes’ home.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
The game is only available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, but some scammers have been circulating fake PC versions to drain cryptocurrency wallets or trick users into downloading malware.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of circulating

Verb

That role demands reliable equipment capable of transmitting strategic instructions during severe national security crises.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
The latest hotter than expected PPI figures indicate that price pressures are now transmitting from the energy sector into the broader real economy.

— , CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026