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.
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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.
This type of speculative execution attack gained widespread attention after the Spectre vulnerability was disclosed in 2018. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 The scramble to find water – collecting it in small vessels and cisterns – is a daily survival routine for hundreds of thousands of other US citizens on the island due to widespread service interruptions. — Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 Flor was fortuitously found in Gary, Indiana this week, after severe storms tore through the area earlier this month, leading to widespread power outages, destruction of property and substantial flooding. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Hisbah members also face widespread allegations of rights abuses in their enforcement operations, including subjecting offenders to dehumanizing punishments such as public beatings or shaming. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 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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