WIDELY Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

widely

adverb

Definition of widely

as in universally

across a large area, group, or range Originally invented in the United States, baseball is now a widely played sport around the world.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of widely Shah began recording their daily conversations, eventually creating a short video that circulated widely through quintessential South Asian community WhatsApp groups, each containing hundreds to thousands of members. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 The slogan became widely known in Italy and inspired a viral dance remix. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 An offensive had been widely expected amid dozens of Saudi airstrikes against Houthi positions and further Houthi gains in southern Yemen. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 Kings coach Doug Christie has not revealed his plans for the starting lineup, but Acuff, Zach LaVine, De’Andre Hunter, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis have been widely projected as the starters. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for widely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for widely

Adverb

Across societies, women have universally done more direct parenting, and men have participated more frequently in community-level decision-making.

— Christopher von Rueden, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2026
But, as Zirin observes, Zinn’s version of the American story was far from universally acclaimed.

— Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of universally

Adverb

Although insider trading generally can have a correlation with future returns in the market broadly, Seyhun says banks are among the weakest areas for that kind of prediction.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Henkel is broadly known as a global industrial products and consumer goods company with offerings such as laundry detergent, industrial products, adhesives, sealants, and haircare.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of broadly

Adverb

Three Albums on the Horizon Cooper also writes extensively about the original Alice Cooper band, which formed during 1964 as the Earwigs and before splitting up in 1975, in the wake of the Muscle of Love album.

— Gary Graff, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026
Since its release, the band has performed on Saturday Night Live and toured extensively.

— Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of extensively

Browse Nearby Words

wide-eyed

widely

widemouthed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Widely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/widely. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of widely

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes