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Synonyms

widely

American  
[wahyd-lee] / ˈwaɪd li /

adverb

  1. to a wide extent.

  2. over a wide space or area.

    a widely distributed plant.

  3. by or among a large number of persons.

    a widely known artist.

  4. in many or various subjects, cases, etc..

    to be widely read.

  5. greatly, very much, or very.

    widely differing accounts of an event.


Etymology

Origin of widely

First recorded in 1655–65; wide + -ly

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.

I am pleased to report that, at least along that stretch of I-95, 350-kW chargers are now widely available and conveniently located, many in Walmart parking lots, where we made a lot of friends.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

The suspects have not been formally named, but their names were widely circulated by Greek media.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

That’s in contrast to the widely followed S&P 500 index, which declined.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

The county is gradually moving workers into the 55-story skyscraper at the base of Bunker Hill that was widely considered one of the city’s most desirable office buildings when it was completed in 1991.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Time, indeed a considerable stretch of time, would be required to allow the bonding together of this large, widely dispersed, and diverse population.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis