According to statistics and Google Ngram "widely spread" is dying out, and is being used less and less often while "widespread" is becoming popular.
There's also "spreads widely" that is also correct but becoming less popular.
asked Nov 28, 2016 at 10:50
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5Widely spread was never 'popular'.– StoneyB on hiatusCommented Nov 28, 2016 at 11:13
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Are you sure? I've seen it in books and articles.– SovereignSunCommented Nov 28, 2016 at 11:47
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1'Popular' does not mean 'used on occasion'. But look at the link I gave.– StoneyB on hiatusCommented Nov 28, 2016 at 13:12
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2related: Is there a rule which may indicate us when to use “BROAD” and when to use “WIDE”? and Can I use “widespreadly” as the adverbial form of “widespread”?– Mari-Lou ACommented Nov 28, 2016 at 15:15
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