sprawled; sprawling; sprawls
1
: to lie or sit with arms and legs spread out
2
: to spread or develop irregularly or without restraint
bushes sprawling along the road
sprawling suburbs
a sprawling narrative
3
a
: to creep or clamber awkwardly
b
archaic
: to lie thrashing or tossing about
: to cause to spread out carelessly or awkwardly
sprawled out her books on the table
1
: an irregularly spread or scattered group or mass
a sprawl of stores and restaurants
2
3
: the act, posture, or condition of sprawling
Examples of sprawl in a Sentence
Verb
The kids sprawled on the floor to watch TV.
She tripped and went sprawling into the table.
The city sprawls along the coastline.
The bushes were sprawling along the road.
Recent Examples on the Web
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
The sprawling conflict, which started when the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, is not expected to have a major effect on the March employment numbers.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
In addition to their concerns about this specific data center, residents said that this case represents a larger issue for Fort Worth in how the city ensures that data center developments built in the city’s tendrils of suburban sprawl come with the best interests of residents in mind.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
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Verb
Spacious bedrooms each come with his and hers bathrooms, while a laundry room, sprawling living room, and garden feel incredibly spacious.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
The sprawling conflict, which started when the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, is not expected to have a major effect on the March employment numbers.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
But as Mecklenburg County’s sprawl creeps its way into Union County, leaders are looking for ways to preserve the area’s rural feel the farmland that supports it.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
In addition to their concerns about this specific data center, residents said that this case represents a larger issue for Fort Worth in how the city ensures that data center developments built in the city’s tendrils of suburban sprawl come with the best interests of residents in mind.
—Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprawl. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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