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
Looting, vandalism and clashes between protesters and authorities began in the capital of Luanda before spreading to at least six other provinces. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025 Republicans used a similar tactic, spreading those voters across more districts and including more conservative, rural areas in Gonzalez's district. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Noun
Bushy, clump-forming perennials such as garden phlox and Shasta daisy increase their spread from year to year. Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2025 Bowerman was feeding cattle when Dellinger and Tyson pulled up to the family’s spread on the hillside overlooking the McKenzie River. Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for spread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spread
Verb
  • Apple leaks and rumors are so common that there’s an entire media ecosystem to track and disseminate them.
    Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 18 July 2025
  • When projects are costly, urgent or time-specific, independently replicating them prior to disseminating results is often not feasible.
    Amanda Kay Montoya, The Conversation, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • The majority of interns admitted go on to apply to MBZUAI’s graduate programs after working on projects in health care, language processing, and robotics.
    Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 25 July 2025
  • Any employee can apply for this benefit, making homeownership achievable for the entire staff.
    Alora Bopray, USA Today, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • However, his name is circulating in trade rumors as other playoff contenders search for starting pitching.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
  • Wednesday, 10pm A statement was circulated to reporters covering Barcelona from Ham Seul, chief executive of a company called D-Drive, which the club had partnered with to organise the tour.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • The borrelia bacteria is primarily transmitted to humans through a tick bite, according to the Mayo Clinic.
    Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 1 Aug. 2025
  • For a disease to be transmitted, a tick must stay connected to its host for 24 to 36 hours.
    Katie Wiseman, Louisville Courier Journal, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • The clouds truly began to part, however, when Antony and Josephine gave Baser some advice that would go on to change the course of her career.
    Sophie Williams, Billboard, 25 July 2025
  • Paves also styled Simpson’s hair later that night, parting her hair on the left side of her head and tucking it behind her ears.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Decades of research and studies in agriculture have increased production across all crops in the U.S., said James, and cannabis can adopt those same technologies.
    Julie Weed, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • The top reason students opt not to pursue higher education is cost, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board states, though having a degree can drastically increase earnings.
    Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • Learning more about Tubman’s heroism, including the River Raid, inspired Towns to produce a series of Tubman quilts, two of which are in the show.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • Featuring knit and crochet items, baby quilts, floral arrangements, jewelry and wooden crafts.
    Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • Welcomed aboard with a chilled glass of white Port, settle in for your first dinner: crispy crab cakes, veal sirloin, and mini cheese boards, or nightly Viking staples—think Caesar salads and juicy Angus ribeye.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • While suburban teachers can commute to a meeting and be home for dinner, rural affiliates must book hotels, rent vehicles, and use up personal days just to sit in a room where they are often outnumbered and politically outshouted.
    Jeremy Gosnell, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spread. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

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