spread 1 of 2

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as in to apply
to put a layer of on a surface we spread the fertilizer over the lawn evenly until it was fully covered

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

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as in to part
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

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spread

2 of 2

noun

1
as in quilt
a decorative cloth used as a top covering for a bed bought a brightly colored spread for summer

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as in spectrum
the distance or extent between possible extremes the spread of grades was from 15 to 79 on that quiz

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5

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 spread
Verb
The 1950s saw the Volkswagen Beetle spread globally, especially swarming roads in the United States during the 1960s. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025 Controlling a fire means ensuring that the fire can't spread or cross the containment line. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
On the south flank, resources will hold the fire north of the Kings River to prevent spread into additional drainages and communities. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025 Health Care is bouncing from near all-time lows though remains under pressure due to worries about regulatory change, while Consumer Staple is still languishing with a huge negative spread. Randy Watts, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Verb
  • All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.
    Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
  • To remember how these three women—and other journalists like them—got down to the business of reporting on what was happening, disseminating information to the masses and becoming a part of history, though none of them knew it at the time.
    Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • With this certification program, employees can take short learning breaks and access ready-to-apply AI content on demand, instantly increasing their AI acumen.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The other end of the spectrum are breaks that happen when a single application of force is applied to the bone.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The 47th took place the same afternoon, one state over in Colorado, though no footage has circulated.
    Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Videos circulating on social media appeared to show a bullet strike Kirk in the neck while speaking before a crowd, while others show people rushing out of a courtyard.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Jumbotrons at Tiananmen Square beamed the image to the 50,000 people gathered under the beating Beijing sun to witness the spectacle, many waving small Chinese flags, while state media transmitted it to televisions across China and the world.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Rabies is a virus that is transmitted to humans by a bite or scratch from a rabid animal, according to the CDC.
    Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The piece shows the king with hair parted down the middle and with a long goatee, photos show.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The designer's long, dark hair is parted to the side and styled sleek and straight.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Federal Supplement Security Income payments would increase for January but those payments would be made at the end of December.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But there is really no reason why this should be the case for Pilates—which consists of different low-impact movements to strengthen your core muscles, increase your flexibility, improve your posture and give you more awareness of your body in general.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Pet owners especially love how durable this quilt is.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
  • This show presents work from 35 artists, from solo projects like weavings and felted sculptures to collaborative pieces like a large quilt.
    Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The couple still live in separate houses but eat dinner together most nights.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Celebrating the start of New York Fashion Week, both actresses arrived at the Central Park Boathouse for the Veuve Clicquot dinner hosted by Jacquemus designer Simon Porte with the same copper hair coloring.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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