spread 1 of 2

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2
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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3
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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4
5
as in to divide
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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6

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
Word of mouth might have been enough for Jesus, but Minnie was relentless in promoting her daughter’s ministry, and McPherson herself embraced one medium after another for spreading her message. Casey Cep, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 Blame would eventually be spread far and wide, but absolute accountability proved complex and elusive. Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
In an interview with Fox Business on Wednesday, Dimon said rising interest rates, sticky inflation, and widening credit spreads are setting the stage for a wave of financial strain among U.S. companies. Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025 The collection included raspberry spread, limited-edition wildflower honey with honeycomb, herbal tea assortment, crepe mix, shortbread cookie mix with flower sprinkles, and flower sprinkles. Charna Flam, People.com, 9 Apr. 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, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Serving as communications director for colleges sharpened her skills at disseminating information to the public.
    Penny E Schwartz, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The proposal would apply to single parents earning up to $100,000 per year and couples earning up to $200,000 per year.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • However, less than 48 hours after the end of the regular tax filing season, word circulated that the program would be axed.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The rumor circulated quickly on social media, as rumors do on social media.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Hopefully, yes, given that Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, and thus spreads less easily than pathogens with respiratory transmission, such as measles, avian flu and coronaviruses.
    David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The actors, too, wore headsets, their quips, shouts and whispers transmitted digitally into the audience’s ears, at times alternating between the left and right earphones.
    Rachel Sherman, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The city is divided along sectarian lines: The south is home mostly to Sunni Muslims, while the northern neighborhoods are mostly Alawite.
    Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Passengers are divided on the appropriateness of removing shoes during flights, citing comfort versus hygiene and safety.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • What Murray did in the second half was increase his aggression off the dribble.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Those unused hours can, however, be converted to service credit to increase their government pensions.
    Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • An employee walks past a quilt displaying Etsy Inc. signage at the company’s headquarters in the Brooklyn.
    Annie Palmer, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Bedding Deals Swap heavy bedding for lightweight, cooling quilts, sheets, and gel fiber bed pillows to avoid overheating at night.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Choose from fluid midi skirts, like Tory Burch’s deconstructed option or Ulla Johnson’s perfectly polished A-line style, which can go from the office to a dinner out, in seconds flat.
    Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Angela seizes the moment to confront Porsha about a shady comment made at the bank dinner.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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