as in expansion
a wide space or area
the great explorers who crossed the vast expanses of the seven seas in small ships
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of expanse
While the southern end of the park is known for its high concentration of petrified wood, the northern end has jaw-dropping views of the Painted Desert, the colorful expanse of hills, buttes, and mesas in Arizona’s high desert.
—
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2026
That's why there's no greater joy in journalism than driving through the great expanses of the West.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
But few believed it, especially after the British and French demanded that the warring nations both withdraw at least ten miles away from the canal, a move that would hand Israel a vast expanse of territory.
—Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Perched just beyond the Bay Area’s eastern edge, this expanse of fields, orchards, subdivisions and big-box stores offers few opportunities for ambitious young professionals interested in industries such as tech and finance.
—Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expanse
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2026
That's why there's no greater joy in journalism than driving through the great expanses of the West.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
But few believed it, especially after the British and French demanded that the warring nations both withdraw at least ten miles away from the canal, a move that would hand Israel a vast expanse of territory.
—Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Perched just beyond the Bay Area’s eastern edge, this expanse of fields, orchards, subdivisions and big-box stores offers few opportunities for ambitious young professionals interested in industries such as tech and finance.
—Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expanse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expanse
Noun
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Their teammate, Kiki Rice, went sixth to Toronto, the first pick for the expansion franchise.—
Briauna Brown,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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The family real estate business is undergoing the fastest overseas expansion since its founding a century ago, each deal potentially shaping everything including tariffs and military aid.—
Bernard Condon,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The City of Brookhaven has approved a major redevelopment project along North Druid Hills Road, paving the way for more than $150 million in private investment aimed at transforming a stretch of aging commercial properties.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Vast stretches of suburban concrete block its natural drainage, and thousands of homes have been built along its winding, sluggish tributaries.—
Dominic Boyer,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The length is perfect with a pair of ballet flats or lug-sole loafers, and the structured shape matches with everything from a casual white tee to a silky camisole and cropped cardigan for a day-to-night look.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
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Broken lengths of irrigation piping lie scattered in the dust.—
Julie Bourdin,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expanse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expanse. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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