What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rife
Example
The city was rife with crime and corruption. [rife: adjective]
Example
Rumors were rife about the company's financial troubles. [rife: adjective]
widespread
Example
The disease was widespread throughout the country. [widespread: adjective]
Example
There was widespread support for the new policy. [widespread: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Widespread is more commonly used than rife in everyday language. Widespread is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while rife is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rife and widespread?
Both rife and widespread are formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing. However, rife may have a slightly more informal connotation due to its association with colloquial expressions like 'rife with rumors'.
