urban sprawl
noun
: the spreading of urban developments (such as houses and shopping centers) on undeveloped land near a city
Examples of urban sprawl in a Sentence
efforts to stop urban sprawl
Recent Examples on the Web
How did some of the other themes make their way into the story — family legacy, the bonds of childhood friendship, the impact of urban sprawl and rural depopulation?
—
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, proposals such as SB 686 and HB 691 would continue to erode local governments’ ability to manage urban sprawl and protect rural and agricultural lands from leapfrog development.
—Haley Busch, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
To the bottom left is the urban sprawl of Milano — the second most populous city in Italy, while historic Verona sits to its right, close to the azure expanse of Lake Garda.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 10 Feb. 2026
This lion was traveling a circuitous route from mountains to foothills to backyards and front yards, navigating urban sprawl but avoiding encounters with people.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for urban sprawl
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Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, proposals such as SB 686 and HB 691 would continue to erode local governments’ ability to manage urban sprawl and protect rural and agricultural lands from leapfrog development.
—Haley Busch, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
To the bottom left is the urban sprawl of Milano — the second most populous city in Italy, while historic Verona sits to its right, close to the azure expanse of Lake Garda.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 10 Feb. 2026
This lion was traveling a circuitous route from mountains to foothills to backyards and front yards, navigating urban sprawl but avoiding encounters with people.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for urban sprawl
Cite this Entry
“Urban sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urban%20sprawl. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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