widespread

/ˌwaɪdˈsprɛd/

Say it: wyd-SPRED

adjective Found or distributed over a large area or among a large number of people.
The new policy has gained widespread support from voters.

📖 Seen in the wild

The invention of the internet led to the widespread dissemination of information across the globe.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ widespread in a sentence

The hurricane caused widespread damage along the entire coastline.
There is a widespread belief that the new technology will change our lives.
The company initiated a widespread recall of the faulty product.
His ideas had a widespread influence on a generation of writers.
Despite widespread criticism in the press, the director stood by his film.
The disease is most widespread in tropical regions.
Widespread adoption of remote work has changed the commercial real estate market.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

common prevalent rife ubiquitous extensive pervasive general rampant

common · suggests something is frequently encountered but not necessarily over a vast area.

prevalent · implies something is dominant or generally accepted in a particular place, group, or time.

rife · usually carries a negative connotation, suggesting an undesirable thing is abundant and unchecked.

ubiquitous · is a stronger term suggesting something is present or found literally everywhere.

Opposites: limited, localized, restricted, rare, uncommon

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'widespread' is as straightforward as it sounds, first appearing in the late 16th century. It's a simple compound of the Old English words 'wīd' (wide) and 'sprædan' (to spread out). Its meaning has remained consistent, always referring to something distributed over a great distance or among many people.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

widespread usewidespread supportwidespread damagewidespread criticismwidespread beliefwidespread adoption

"Widespread" is a neutral and versatile adjective suitable for most contexts, from casual conversation to formal reports. It effectively describes both physical distribution (widespread flooding) and the dissemination of ideas (widespread belief). While it has many synonyms, be mindful of their connotations; for instance, use 'rife' or 'rampant' for negative things that are out of control, not 'widespread'.

💬 Quick answers

What does widespread mean?

It means that something exists or is distributed over a large area or among a great number of people. It can refer to physical things, like a species, or abstract concepts, like an idea or a feeling.

What is the difference between widespread and prevalent?

"Widespread" emphasizes broad geographical or numerical distribution. "Prevalent" suggests something is common or dominant within a specific group, area, or time period, like a prevalent attitude among teenagers.

Is widespread a negative word?

No, widespread is a neutral word. Its connotation depends on what it describes. For example, 'widespread support' is positive, while 'widespread corruption' is negative.

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