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espalhar-se

[ɛʃpaˈʎaɾ-sə]
verb (pronominal/reflexive)
to spread; to scatter; to disperse
1. to spread out in different directions; to become dispersed
The crowd spread out across the square.
A multidão espalhou-se pela praça.
2. to disseminate or circulate widely (information, news, etc.)
The rumor spread quickly throughout the city.
A notícia espalhou-se rapidamente pela cidade.
3. to scatter or distribute over an area
The seeds spread across the garden.
As sementes espalham-se pelo jardim.
Synonyms
dispersar-sedisseminar-sepropagar-sedifundir-seexpandir-seesparramar-se
Antonyms
concentrar-seaglomerar-sereunir-seagrupar-se

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
espalhar-se
standard usage throughout Brazil
São Paulo
espalhar-se
common usage; may also use 'se espairar' colloquially
Rio de Janeiro
espalhar-se
standard usage
Portugal
espalhar-se
standard usage; also 'espalhafatar-se' for dramatic spreading

Related Idioms & Phrases

espalhar-se como fogo em palha - to spread like wildfire
espalhar-se pelos quatro cantos - to spread to all corners
espalhar-se como óleo em água - to spread like oil on water
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