spreads

NOUN

expansion, development; extent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advance advancement dissemination escalation increase spreading transmission

STRONG

compass diffusion dispersion enlargement expanse extension period profusion proliferation radiation ramification range reach scope span stretch suffusion sweep term transfusion

Antonyms

STRONGEST

halt stop

STRONG

abridgment compression decrease extreme reduction

WEAK

stagnation suppression

NOUN

outlay of food, meal

Synonyms

STRONG

array banquet blowout dinner feast lunch regale repast

Antonyms

WEAK

stagnation suppression

VERB

open or fan out

Synonyms

STRONGEST

circulate cover develop disperse escalate expand extend flow increase lay multiply proliferate reach set spray stretch

STRONG

arrange array bloat broaden cast coat daub diffuse dilate diverge enlarge flatten gloss lengthen level lie mushroom open overlay paint pervade prepare radiate settle smear sprawl strew suffuse swell uncoil unfold unfurl unroll untwist unwind widen

WEAK

be displayed be distributed branch off even out outstretch roll out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abridge collect compress contract decrease diminish end gather halt lessen lose lower shorten shrink

STRONG

block confuse disorganize hide mix up narrow reduce restrict reveal shrivel straighten

WEAK

close conceal

VERB

publicize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

circulate disseminate distribute propagate scatter transmit

STRONG

advertise blazon broadcast cast declare diffuse proclaim promulgate publish radiate shed sow strew

WEAK

make known make public

Antonyms

STRONGEST

collect gather

STRONG

conceal hide

WEAK

close compress

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ebola spreads through infected bodily fluids such as blood and vomit, although this does not normally occur until symptoms have appeared.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Unlike gum disease, which commonly causes pain, swelling, or bleeding, infections at the root tip can exist silently while inflammation gradually spreads through the body.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

AFP breaks down what Argentine scientists know so far about the rare respiratory disease and how it spreads.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

In the case of the Andes hantavirus strain, there’s still a lot to learn to understand how the virus spreads.

From Slate • May 14, 2026

She spreads her arms as if they were wings.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez