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spread like wildfire



Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The giant number spread like wildfire across the investment world—and not in a good way.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

It spread like wildfire on TikTok and Instagram, spawning its own hand gestures, and became so ubiquitous -- and annoying -- that it was reportedly banned in some US schools.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

"Flu can spread like wildfire across schools and can make children really unwell," he said.

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2025

It’s unclear when the video was made, but it emerged and spread like wildfire on social media after a Fox News reporter, citing unnamed sources, said it had triggered a federal probe into the politician.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2025

Others had been told by parole and probation officers that they could not vote, and although it was not true, they believed it, and the news spread like wildfire.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander