to overspread

Examples

• All

• Milton, his huge long tail wound up in hundredfolds, does overspread his long brass scaly back.

  Harvard University

• Across the Corn Belt, mild air is overspreading westernmost areas, including the middle Missouri Valley.

  Blog text (19)

• The wall of clouds had passed the zenith, and the first layers were already overspreading Iadara's sun.

  Fiction book (1990)

• A mile-long alley of giant oaks overspread the walk, and gray Spanish moss streamed out on a damp breeze smelling of rain.

  Fiction book (1997)

• Whether or not Anglo observers had a direct material stake in New Mexico, the idea of "Mexican" inferiority reassured them that the crusade to overspread the continent was entirely justified.

  Academic text (2001)

• As we see one vivid, ironic, or profound vignette after another (a cleaning woman mopping the floor in Grand Central, her human scale diminished by the overspreading dome),

  Fiction book (1992)

• The clouds overspread the sky, blocking out the sunlight.

• As evening fell, the darkness began to overspread the landscape, enveloping everything in sight.

• Tropical storm conditions are expected to overspread the region later today, affecting travel plans for many.

Synonyms

C

to cover

vsto overspread

∞ 1.0

To put something over another thing to protect or hide it

emphasizes simple extension over a surface, not protection

S

to spread

vsto overspread

664 1.6

To put a thin layer over a surface

focuses on simple extension rather than active distribution

E

to envelop

vsto overspread

41 4.5

To surround something completely, like fog or darkness

means extend across a surface without the strong enclosing sense

S

to spread out

vsto overspread

24 3.1

To arrange or unfold things so they cover a larger area

describes passive extension across a surface rather than arranging

S

to spread over

vsto overspread

17 3.6

Form a layer across a surface, like fog or icing

is more general, meaning simply extend across a surface

S

to straddle

vsto overspread

13 5.0

To reach across an area so parts are on both sides

suggests even coverage across a whole surface rather than partial span

O

to overlay

vsto overspread

11 4.2

To cover something with a layer of material

describes spreading across without adding a new material layer

G

to grow over

vsto overspread

4 3.5

To spread over something and cover it, as moss or vines do

describes spreading that can be nonliving rather than living growth

O

to overwhelm

vsto overspread

4 4.2

Cover something completely so it cannot be seen or noticed

is about reaching across a surface without implying total burial

O

to overgrow

vsto overspread

2 4.4

To become too large and cover a place with plants

means simple extension across a surface without excess biological growth

P

to plaster over

vsto overspread

1 4.5

To cover a surface with a layer of material or paint to hide damage

describes general spreading rather than heavy repair coating

O

to overlie

vsto overspread

• Specialized

1 7.9

Rest on top of something and cover it

implies movement or extension across rather than simply lying

E

to enwrap

vsto overspread

1 8.0

To cover something completely, often by surrounding it with cloth or paper

focuses on covering across a surface, not full enclosure

O

to overcoat

vsto overspread

6.4

To cover something with an extra layer, often paint or varnish

is about general extension across a surface rather than excess layering

O

to overwrap

vsto overspread

4.4

To cover something with an extra layer to protect it or make it look nicer

concerns spreading across a surface rather than wrapping around an object

B

to beplaster

vsto overspread

• Archaic

9.9

To cover a surface thickly with stickers, paste, or cream

is about spreading thinly or evenly across rather than thick coating

How Much

to overspread

1 7.1

to spread

664 1.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology