as in expansions
a wide space or area
the great explorers who crossed the vast expanses of the seven seas in small ships
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Recent Examples of expanses
The team calculates that, based on its distance from the star, TRAPPIST-1e might also be a relatively cool world, conceivably with liquid-water oceans or frozen expanses of ice on its surface.
—
Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2025
Backcountry exploration When people seek a break from the pace of modern life and the demands of being digitally connected, national parks contain expanses of backcountry, where signs of civilization are sparse, and where profound natural beauty, adventure and solitude are still available.
—Jeffrey C. Hallo, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025
Much of the rest of the hike was dry and traversed gentle gravel bars or smooth limestone expanses, skirting the edges of grassy bluffs and rocky cliffs.
—Eva Frederick, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2025
Andres Garcia Lachner/Costa Elena While Costa Rica comes equipped with towering volcanoes and vast expanses of shoreline, few of its natural features can match the grandeur of the Guanacaste Conservation Area.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
As a bit of scene-setting, Kim’s Video, for New Yorkers of a certain vintage, was once the place to explore the vast, bonkers expanses of the cinematic universe.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
Then in 2023, nearly an inch of rain fell on the site, creating expanses of thick mud that required organizers to put a no-driving order in place.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2025
Designed by architect Michael Upwall, the seven-bedroom, 16-bathroom chalet is all dramatic geometry and vast expanses of glass, with panoramic views of Jordanelle Reservoir, Bald Mountain, and the Uinta Mountains.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2025
These wide expanses of dense maritime forest are largely left alone.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2025
Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2025
Backcountry exploration When people seek a break from the pace of modern life and the demands of being digitally connected, national parks contain expanses of backcountry, where signs of civilization are sparse, and where profound natural beauty, adventure and solitude are still available.
—Jeffrey C. Hallo, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025
Much of the rest of the hike was dry and traversed gentle gravel bars or smooth limestone expanses, skirting the edges of grassy bluffs and rocky cliffs.
—Eva Frederick, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2025
Andres Garcia Lachner/Costa Elena While Costa Rica comes equipped with towering volcanoes and vast expanses of shoreline, few of its natural features can match the grandeur of the Guanacaste Conservation Area.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
As a bit of scene-setting, Kim’s Video, for New Yorkers of a certain vintage, was once the place to explore the vast, bonkers expanses of the cinematic universe.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
Then in 2023, nearly an inch of rain fell on the site, creating expanses of thick mud that required organizers to put a no-driving order in place.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2025
Designed by architect Michael Upwall, the seven-bedroom, 16-bathroom chalet is all dramatic geometry and vast expanses of glass, with panoramic views of Jordanelle Reservoir, Bald Mountain, and the Uinta Mountains.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2025
These wide expanses of dense maritime forest are largely left alone.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expanses
Noun
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Those expansions were made possible with Inflation Reduction Act funding.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The funding has helped several grant recipients make plans for expansions and upgrades that have been delayed.—
Ricardo Torres,
jsonline.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The New York Mets keep enduring lengthy rough stretches.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
In 2022 and 2024, there were similar blank stretches, but both seasons ended with major wallops to Florida — Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022, and Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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These macaws are severely range-restricted in the wild to a tiny tropical savannah in north-central Bolivia, known as Llanos de Moxos (the Moxos plains).—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Between August and October—the hot, dry months—the plains turn a golden hue, and wildlife becomes easier to spot as animals concentrate around the last remaining water sources.—
Mazuba Kapambwe,
AFAR Media,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
All the victories were gate to wire fashion at sprint distances.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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The robot firm has also revealed its new robotic equipment that allows humans to access and control this humanoid from large distances.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The extra-large, rectangular shape offers enough space for long lengths and fluffy curls, while the strong, extra-long teeth form a lock that secures every last strand.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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His comeback race was a brilliant effort in winning the Iowa Derby on July 5 by 9 ¼ lengths.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Alpert, who has tried both linen and linen-blend bedding from Piglet, emphasizes the airiness factor of the sheets.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
11 Sep. 2025
-
More than 42,000 pillows, sheets, comforters, and more are discounted up to 77 percent, including finds from brands like Sealy, Tempur-Pedic, and Beautyrest.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Expanses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expanses. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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