rife
7 synonyms and 1 antonym for rife, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Widespread or common, usually referring to something unpleasant.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
plethoric
overabundant
Antonyms
How to use rife
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
rife with rumours
speculation is rife
rife with corruption
Etymology
From Old English rīfe (\"abundant, frequent\"), related to Dutch rijf (\"abundant\").
Full origin of rife →Frequently asked questions
What does “rife” mean?
The word “rife” means widespread or common, usually referring to something unpleasant. In plain terms, very common or widespread — almost always describing something bad, like rumours, disease, or corruption.
How do you pronounce “rife”?
“Rife” is pronounced ryf (/ɹaɪf/ in IPA).
How do you use “rife” in a sentence?
Here is “rife” used in a sentence: “Rumours were rife in the office after the announcement.”
What is another word for “rife”?
Words with a similar meaning to “rife” include ubiquitous.
What part of speech is “rife”?
“Rife” is an adjective.
Where does the word “rife” come from?
The word “rife” comes from Old English. From Old English rīfe (\"abundant, frequent\"), related to Dutch rijf (\"abundant\").
How many meanings does “rife” have?
“Rife” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: widespread or common, usually referring to something unpleasant.
