as in to measure
to find out the size, extent, or amount of
tried to span the distance between the two trees by eye alone
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of span
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
The span of the book renders it, almost by definition, a portrait of how the clan’s members observe one another as the years pass.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
ArsTechnica, 13 July 2025
Even before the Central Texas floods that killed more than 100 people, the state was by far the leader in U.S. flood deaths due partly to geography that can funnel rainwater into deadly deluges, according to a study spanning decades.
—Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for span
Verb
Flagg struggled from the floor, scoring just 10 points on 5-for-21 shooting, with six of those points coming in a 90-second span in the first quarter.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
The span of the book renders it, almost by definition, a portrait of how the clan’s members observe one another as the years pass.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
Noun
On the other hand, models that had high spatial resolution—taking into account all the hills, mountains, and riverbeds—could only be run over relatively short time spans.
—ArsTechnica, 13 July 2025
Even before the Central Texas floods that killed more than 100 people, the state was by far the leader in U.S. flood deaths due partly to geography that can funnel rainwater into deadly deluges, according to a study spanning decades.
—Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for span
Recent Examples of Synonyms for span
Verb
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The back-to-back northern lights that are expected have a forecast of three on the Kp index, which measures the intensity of the auroras on a scale that ranges from zero to nine.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
14 July 2025
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Research tells us that our fans measure MLS by how our teams perform against top clubs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
Noun
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And a good pair can get pricey, which makes sales the optimal time to buy one.—
Kayla Blanton,
People.com,
9 July 2025
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In fact, none of my favorite pairs costs more than $80 right now.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
9 July 2025
Noun
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And in January of this year, a fire broke out at a 750-megawatt facility containing 99,000 LG battery modules in the Northern California community of Moss Landing that led to the evacuation of about 1,500 residents.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 July 2025
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Krings plans to host a slate of events including dinners, cocktails and meet-the-designer moments throughout the year.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
7 July 2025
Verb
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The study also added new metrics this year to gauge the states’ risks from a trade war and a shrinking federal budget, including cuts in federal research grants.—
Adrienne Roberts,
Freep.com,
11 July 2025
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Teams can also speak directly with restricted free agents starting at 7:01 p.m. Eastern Time on June 30, so Carolina was able to gauge his interest ahead of Noon on July 1, when free agents are allowed to start signing deals.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Typically, the ring bearer is a young boy or girl and is either the couple’s own child, a relative, or a close family friend.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
10 July 2025
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Anthony and her apparent date’s body language left TMZ’s witness with the impression Wednesday night’s outing wasn’t the couple’s first.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
10 July 2025
Noun
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According to Redfin, Dilworth is home to sprawling green spaces, eclectic dining options and numerous walking trails.—
Nora O’Neill
July 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 July 2025
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Companies are instead creating more privacy and investing in quality spaces.—
Brit Morse,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
Verb
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The model can be hard to scale or standardize, particularly for agencies with diverse service offerings, and there’s the risk that comes with uncontrollable external factors hindering outcomes.—
Jacquelyn LaMar Berney,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Ether, the second-largest token, scaled a more than five-month top of $3,059.60, while XRP and Solana gained about 3% each.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
Noun
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On its second test flight, however, the pilot was not available and Smolinski and Blake decided to take the wheel/yoke.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 June 2025
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Where Harlan is decisive and self-possessed, Cane is anxious and unconfident, a good guy stymied by both the yoke of responsibility and his father’s tendency to cut him off at the knees (and punch him in the face).—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Span.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/span. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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