WIDESPREAD Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

widespread

adjective

ˈwīd-ˈspred

Definition of widespread

as in extensive

having considerable extent a widespread area of drought

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 widespread Wind and rain Wind will be the most widespread and long-lasting threat. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 That changed after the 2020 presidential election, when secretaries of state in places such as Arizona, Georgia and Michigan were thrust into battles over election results, certification and false claims of widespread fraud. — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 Throughout the first six months of the war, the widespread response to Iranian attacks was posting images of the flag, the crown prince, and a prayer for the country. — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Amazon introduced About You in May 2026, although the feature has recently attracted widespread attention as shoppers share their profiles on social media. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for widespread

Recent Examples of Synonyms for widespread

Adjective

California sought to adopt a price cap law this year as well, though the bill, which faced extensive lobbying from ticket resale platform StubHub, had failed.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Explain when your engagement is too extensive, when another type of provider may be a better fit and what responsibilities remain with the client.

— Dennis Kirwan, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of extensive

Adjective

By contrast, long-term investing remains focused on owning productive assets, participating in economic growth and aligning investment decisions with broader financial objectives.

— Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Instead, Hugo says the case encompasses a much broader body of work stemming from compositions the two created during nearly 50 studio sessions between 2019 and 2021.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of broad

Adjective

There’s a wide array of highly capable performance cars available at this price point, many of which offer eye-watering output and acceleration figures.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Advertisement The protests are also occurring amid a wider crisis of political confidence in the country.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of wide

Adjective

In France, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally is leading presidential polls ahead of the 2027 election and has called for a sweeping overhaul of public broadcasting, including privatization.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
The Election Commission of India, an independent constitutional body, has sweeping powers to ensure that the polls remain beyond reproach.

— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of sweeping

Adjective

Both have built much of their appeal on opposition to the political establishment, the promise to wish away budget constraints, and deep hostility toward the European Union.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Acting was his guiding passion, but his deep love for the avant-garde helped till the ground for the city’s theatrical renaissance that the 1984 Olympic Arts Festival catalyzed.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of deep

Browse Nearby Words

wide-ranging

widespread

widget

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Style

“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widespread. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of widespread

adjective

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