widespread
adjective
wide·spread
ˈwīd-ˈspred 
1
: widely diffused or prevalent
widespread public interest
2
: widely extended or spread out
low, widespread hood and fenders—
Time
Timea widespread erosion surface—C. B. Hitchcock
C. B. HitchcockSynonyms
Examples of widespread in a Sentence
There is widespread public interest in the election.
Trade partners had become more widespread.
There was widespread opposition to the plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
The tornado moved into a neighborhood of manufactured and mobile homes along West Lone Oak Road, where there were fatalities and widespread damage consistent with EF-2 intensity, the weather service said.
—Tom Johanningmeier, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2024
Powerful tornadoes and thunderstorms ripped through parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kentucky late Saturday evening and Sunday morning, leaving more than 20 people dead and causing widespread damage.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 27 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for widespread 
Tom Johanningmeier, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2024
Powerful tornadoes and thunderstorms ripped through parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kentucky late Saturday evening and Sunday morning, leaving more than 20 people dead and causing widespread damage.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 27 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for widespread
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'widespread.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near widespread
Cite this Entry
“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widespread. Accessed 31 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
widespread
adjective
wide·spread
ˈwīd-ˈspred
1
: scattered or found over a wide area
widespread interest in the election
2
: spread out over a wide area
widespread wings
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share