verb

répandre

spread

Faire en sorte que quelque chose se disperse ou se propage sur une surface ou dans un espace.

The French verb "répandre" means "to spread," "to scatter," or "to spill." It refers to the action of causing something (liquid, information, feelings, etc.) to extend over a surface or among many people.

Examples of use:

Répandre un liquide = to spill or spread a liquid.
Répandre une rumeur = to spread a rumor.
Répandre de la joie = to spread joy.

Synonyms and differences:

Disperser: Emphasizes scattering something widely in different directions, often in a more physical or literal way (e.g., dispersing a crowd, dispersing seeds).
Étendre: Focuses on expanding or stretching something over a surface (e.g., étendre une nappe — to spread a tablecloth).
Propager: Mostly used when referring to spreading intangible things like ideas, information, or diseases (akin to "propagate").
Diffuser: Used especially for broadcasting information, knowledge, or media (e.g., diffuser une émission — to broadcast a program).

"Répandre" is more general and can be used both for physical spreading and metaphorical spreading of abstract concepts.