as in to measure
to find out the size, extent, or amount of
tried to span the distance between the two trees by eye alone
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of span
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 22 July 2025
The stations, selected in concert with public feedback surveys, span four boroughs.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 22 July 2025
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne's love story spanned four decades before the rock star passed away on Tuesday, July 22 — just two weeks after the couple celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for span
Verb
Great white sharks' life span are typically between 30 and 40 years old, but according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration some can live past age 70.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 22 July 2025
The stations, selected in concert with public feedback surveys, span four boroughs.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 22 July 2025
Noun
From Mackinaw City in the south to St. Ignace in the north, the bridge spans the meeting point between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, two of the region's five Great Lakes.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne's love story spanned four decades before the rock star passed away on Tuesday, July 22 — just two weeks after the couple celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for span
Recent Examples of Synonyms for span
Verb
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Each group was administered C. difficile weekly for four weeks, and their microbiota was examined to measure bacterial load and C. difficile resistance.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 July 2025
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However, a driver is not legally obligated to submit to a field sobriety test, pre-arrest test or cheek swab at a DUI checkpoint, according to the Law Offices of Grech and Parker in Riverside. Field sobriety tests are subjective and may not accurately measure sobriety, according to Bee archives.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Bednar allowed a solo homer, a double, and a pair of singles to blow the lead for the Yankees.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Aug. 2025
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For introductions, the Braves and Reds walked between a pair of cars decked out in Atlanta and Cincinnati colors.—
Teresa M. Walker,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Plus, any tax savings actions must be taken before the year ends, so a mid-year review ensures there is adequate time to execute any new tax strategies that are advantageous to your business.—
Cindy McGhee,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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For his part, Watson charged a working lunch just nine times during Broadnax’s first year.—
Ella McCarthy,
Austin American Statesman,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Remote work has stuck around far more than Jerry Jacobs, professor of sociology at the University of Pennsylvania, expected—but now bosses are slowly getting better at gauging workers’ productivity realities.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
3 Aug. 2025
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That study would have included cost-benefit analyses of alternatives to the rule, in addition to gauging the rule's effectiveness in comparison to those alternatives.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
31 July 2025
Noun
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The couple’s anniversary tribute to each other comes after the pair celebrated Rhea’s 47th birthday with their kids on July 1.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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This is a great destination for both couples and families, with kid-friendly spa treatments and spacious suites with Alpine views.—
Tomeka Jones,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The town has long been a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community, and that openness shows up in everything from the art to the hospitality to the food.—
Keyla Vasconcellos,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Aside from the comfortable seating, there's a lounge car (exclusive for guests on the signature package) that offers passengers a second space to absorb views and to order drinks.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Faced with rising prices on everything from rent to groceries, many Michiganders are scaling back on summer travel.—
Adrienne Roberts,
Freep.com,
27 July 2025
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Aerogels are more rigid than hydrogels, so both liquid water and water vapor can be transported through their pores, and the only thing that previously held these materials back was their tendency to perform less efficiently as they were scaled up.—
Elizabeth Rayne,
ArsTechnica,
26 July 2025
Noun
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Our Founding Fathers threw off the yoke of colonial rule and forged a new democratic nation, a shining city on the hill.—
Nicole Bibbins Sedaca,
Boston Herald,
4 July 2025
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That would put yoke on MacFarland’s face that is already smeared with a Denver omelette after Mikko’s postseason performance.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Span.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/span. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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