What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disperse
Example
The police used tear gas to disperse the protesters. [disperse: verb]
Example
The seeds disperse easily in the wind. [disperse: verb]
spread
Example
She spread the jam on her toast. [spread: verb]
Example
The virus can spread quickly in crowded areas. [spread: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spread is more commonly used than disperse in everyday language. Spread is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while disperse is less common and typically used in more specific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disperse and spread?
Both disperse and spread can be used in formal or informal contexts, but disperse may be more commonly used in technical or scientific writing due to its more specific meaning.
