as in infectious
exciting a similar feeling or reaction in others
spreading enthusiasm that got our club rolling again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in disseminating
to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people
spread the news!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in applying
to put a layer of on a surface
we spread the fertilizer over the lawn evenly until it was fully covered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in circulating
to become known
once news of the war's end had spread, spontaneous celebrations broke out everywhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in transmitting
to cause (something) to pass from one to another
living conditions that help to spread chicken pox
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in separating
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in increasing
to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number
dissatisfaction with the new administration is spreading rapidly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of spreading
Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Be generous when spreading the chocolate frosting on this one.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Bélanger emphasizes that spreading protein across meals helps support muscle tissue more effectively than concentrating it at night.
—Rita Templeton, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Then last summer, word started spreading that Netflix was exploring casting for a potential The Night Agent spinoff.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Just as cedar fever is calming down, the elm and ash trees get busy spreading their pollens.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
By spreading functions across many nodes, the systems can refresh technology more quickly and continue operating even if some satellites are lost or disabled.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
By now, Fragment A is probably nothing but a slowly-spreading cloud of gas and maybe some dust grains.
—Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Measles is now spreading in Florida, with 68 cases reported in the state already this year.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Be generous when spreading the chocolate frosting on this one.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Bélanger emphasizes that spreading protein across meals helps support muscle tissue more effectively than concentrating it at night.
—Rita Templeton, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Then last summer, word started spreading that Netflix was exploring casting for a potential The Night Agent spinoff.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
Just as cedar fever is calming down, the elm and ash trees get busy spreading their pollens.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
By spreading functions across many nodes, the systems can refresh technology more quickly and continue operating even if some satellites are lost or disabled.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
By now, Fragment A is probably nothing but a slowly-spreading cloud of gas and maybe some dust grains.
—Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spreading
Adjective
-
It can also be spread through direct contact with infectious droplets.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Once Palmer signed on, Hughey and her team needed to find someone to match her infectious energy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Data centers are warehouse-like facilities housing computer servers and components essential for storing, processing and disseminating large amounts of data.—
Adam Bell,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The legislation would allow individuals whose likeness has been used by AI to generate pornographic photos and videos without their consent to sue those responsible for generating or disseminating the content for upward of $150,000.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Newton will be restricted from rejoining the department or even applying for private security license that is authorized by the Board of Police Commissioners.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
-
That includes explaining decisions clearly in open court, applying the law impartially, and upholding the highest standards of judicial ethics.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This structure is intended to help keep value circulating within the community, encouraging positive participation rather than framing compliance as a penalty.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Video circulating on social media and confirmed by the Doral Police Department showed Pearce being tackled to the ground and taken into custody by multiple officers.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the defense world, this means covert sensors that can remain buried for years, still transmitting data without giving away their position with a noisy generator.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Magellan's radar mapped Venus by transmitting radio waves toward the planet's surface and measuring how long the signals took to bounce back, allowing scientists to construct detailed surface maps.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hurzeler’s side are down to 14th, the same number of points (eight) separating them from West Ham in the relegation zone and Brentford in seventh.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Management also said that Viasat continues to evaluate strategic options, which include potentially separating the company’s government and commercial businesses.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now, decoupling supply chains are driving manufacturing growth in the West once more, electric vehicles and home heat pumps need to be plugged in, and the makers of AI’s large language models have ever-increasing power needs.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The move marks a broader trend from the brand, which has been increasing its visibility to new markets through the world of sports, and, at the moment, none is hotter than that of F1.—
Blake Buettner,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pert, smiling, and all-natural (except for their Botox), the MAHA mom helped Trump ascend to victory by propagating dangerous misinformation about the MMR vaccine, a modern medical advance that has saved countless children’s lives.—
Ej Dickson,
Rolling Stone,
6 Feb. 2026
-
If there is no wave propagating, then there is no power dissipation.—
Dina Genkina,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spreading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spreading. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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