Which verb means to scatter or spread far and wide?

The verb that means to scatter or spread far and wide is "disperse." This term specifically describes the act of distributing or spreading something over a large area or among many individuals. For example, you might use "disperse" to describe how seeds are scattered across a field or how a crowd of people spreads out after an event.

The other choices do not convey this meaning. "Expunge" means to remove or erase completely, often in a legal context. "Cogent" refers to an argument or reasoning that is clear, logical, and convincing, rather than about spreading or scattering. "Attain" means to achieve or reach a goal or objective, which also does not relate to the concept of dispersion. Thus, "disperse" is the only option that accurately captures the meaning of scattering or spreading something widely.