widely

adverb

wide·​ly ˈwīd-lē How to pronounce widely (audio)
Synonyms of widelynext
1
: over or through a wide area
has traveled widely
2
: to a great extent
departed widely from the previous edition
3
: by or among a large well-dispersed group of people
a widely known political figure
4
: over a broad range
… persons with widely fluctuating incomes.Current Biography

Examples of widely in a Sentence

Their products are widely available. a widely known political figure The books are widely read by adults as well as children.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The study was covered fairly widely within the crypto space, garnering links in Coinbase, Cointelegraph, and other outlets. Max Tani, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026 Biles, widely considered the greatest gymnast of all time, withdrew from competition at the 2021 Summer Games in Tokyo after struggling with the twisties. Brian Mann, NPR, 15 Feb. 2026 The airport’s current name is widely recognized and respected, and altering it would only create confusion while diminishing the local identity. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026 DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS’gain was also assisted by a new vinyl pressing that become widely available during the tracking week, helping the album’s sales for the week jump 732% to 61,000. Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 15 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for widely

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of widely was in 1579

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Cite this Entry

“Widely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widely. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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