Widespread

/ˌwaɪdˈspɹɛd/ · adjective

Meaning

Affecting, or found throughout, a large area (e.g. the entire land or body); broad in extent; widely diffused..

Definitions by Sense

1. Affecting, or found throughout, a large area (e.g. the entire land or body); broad in extent; widely diffused.
2. (uncommon) Spread far apart.

Example Sentences

widespread belief

widespread criticism

widespread acceptance

There was widespread support for the proposal.

The storm caused widespread damage.

It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street. He wore shepherd's plaid trousers and the swallow-tail coat of the day, with a figured muslin cravat wound about his wide-spread collar.

Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic[…] Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. When a series of bank failures made this impossible, there was widespread anger, leading to the public humiliation of symbolic figures.

Women with knee-length silk stockings, sitting with widespread legs on sunwashed green benches

Synonyms for widespread

Antonyms for widespread

Related Words

Word Forms

• more widespread
• widerspread
• most widespread
• widestspread
• wide-spread

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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