Definitions
- Describing something that is present or felt throughout an entire area or group. - Referring to something that is widespread and has a strong influence on the environment or people. - Talking about something that is all-encompassing and difficult to avoid or escape.
- Referring to something that is distributed over a large area or among many people. - Describing something that is prevalent or common in a particular region or population. - Talking about something that is extensive and covers a wide range of situations or circumstances.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe something that is present or felt over a large area or among many people.
- 2Both words suggest a high degree of prevalence or influence.
- 3Both words can be used to describe negative or positive situations.
- 4Both words are often used in news or academic writing.
What is the difference?
- 1Extent: Widespread suggests something that is distributed over a large area or among many people, while pervasive implies something that is all-encompassing and difficult to avoid or escape.
- 2Intensity: Pervasive suggests a stronger and more overwhelming influence than widespread.
- 3Connotation: Pervasive has a slightly negative connotation, suggesting something that is invasive or unwanted, while widespread is more neutral.
- 4Usage: Pervasive is more commonly used in academic or technical writing, while widespread is more commonly used in everyday language.
Remember this!
Pervasive and widespread are synonyms that describe something that is present or felt over a large area or among many people. However, pervasive suggests a stronger and more overwhelming influence that is all-encompassing and difficult to avoid or escape, while widespread suggests something that is distributed over a large area or among many people, but not necessarily all-encompassing.
