widely

adverb

wide·​ly ˈwīd-lē How to pronounce widely (audio)
Synonyms of widelynext
1
: over or through a wide area
has traveled widely
2
: to a great extent
departed widely from the previous edition
3
: by or among a large well-dispersed group of people
a widely known political figure
4
: over a broad range
… persons with widely fluctuating incomes.—Current Biography

Examples of widely in a Sentence

Their products are widely available. a widely known political figure The books are widely read by adults as well as children.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The move comes as complaints about unusually pricey utility bills have spread widely on social media. — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 In the nineteenth century, demand for dog art only increased as dogs became widely celebrated for their moral values—and as dog ownership became associated with moral benefits for people. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026 Among Israelis, the election is widely seen as a struggle over the character of the state, pitting Netanyahu and his ultranationalist and religious allies against those seeking to preserve its liberal and secular foundations. — Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026 The self-styling of Rider’s shows has been widely praised, as has the scenography of the re-see, which offers an original approach to presenting products through accumulation, layering and a play on color variations or monochromatic schemes. — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for widely

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of widely was in 1579

Phrases Containing widely

Rhymes for widely

See All Rhymes for widely

Browse Nearby Words

wide gage
widely
widely believed
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Cite this Entry

“Widely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widely. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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