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
Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
On June 7, 2021, Murdaugh placed a hysterical 911 call to report that Maggie and Paul had been shot to death near the dog kennels on his family’s sprawling Lowcountry hunting estate.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Residential growth should emphasize homes that foster stability, community pride and a quieter pace of life, rather than dense, mixed-use sprawl.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
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Verb
The surge in demand is already driving up energy prices and fueling political backlash as sprawling data centers turn into election-season flashpoints in the communities where they are being constructed.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
On June 7, 2021, Murdaugh placed a hysterical 911 call to report that Maggie and Paul had been shot to death near the dog kennels on his family’s sprawling Lowcountry hunting estate.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
Across the street from the temple, a sprawl of vendors sold clothing, jewelry, toys, fabric and instruments.
—Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Residential growth should emphasize homes that foster stability, community pride and a quieter pace of life, rather than dense, mixed-use sprawl.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprawl. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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