lexicow

widespread

/ˈwaɪdspred//ˈwaɪdspred/·adjective
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Definition

Widespread means found across a wide area or among many people, not confined to one spot. It joins wide and spread, and that is its whole picture: something that has reached far and is now common over a region or a population. A rumour, a disease, a belief, or a practice can be widespread. The word stresses extent rather than depth — widespread support may still be shallow — and it tends to appear just where a problem has stopped being local and turned general.

Examples

  • By winter the virus was widespread, with cases in every region of the country.
  • There is widespread support for the reform, though it may prove shallow once the costs surge.
  • Misinformation travels so fast online that a single false claim can become widespread before fact-checkers even emerge.

Collocations

widespread support·widespread damage·become widespread·widespread concern·widespread adoption

Synonyms

prevalent·pervasive·extensive·rampant·ubiquitous

Antonyms

localized·rare·scarce

In TOEFL & IELTS

A strong upgrade from 'common' or 'everywhere' in TOEFL/IELTS Writing about social trends, health, and technology ('widespread use of smartphones'). It modifies extent, not intensity — pair it with nouns like support, concern, damage, adoption. Note it is one word and usually attributive ('a widespread belief'). The antonyms localized and isolated are handy for contrast paragraphs.