as in measured
to find out the size, extent, or amount of
tried to span the distance between the two trees by eye alone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spanned
The three former officials, whose careers collectively spanned over six decades of law enforcement experience across the ranks of the FBI, allege that the firings violated their due process rights as well as their First Amendment rights to free association and speech.
—
Luke Barr, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2025
The plant—and particularly the liverwurst product made there—was determined to be the source of a Listeria outbreak that spanned May to September of last year, sickening at least 61 people across 19 states.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 16 Sep. 2025
Though the Eternal Sunshine Tour will be far smaller than Grande’s last trek, which spanned 10 months with nearly 100 dates, the Wicked star has expressed that winding down the scale of her touring output has been necessary to redefining her relationship to performing in a healthy way.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2025
Redford's career spanned decades, but his portrayal of Death as a quiet guide remains one of his most haunting and human performances.
—Hannah Parry
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The sweepstakes and marketing company filed for Chapter 11 in April, citing growing financial strain that spanned from rising operational costs and changes in consumer behavior.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
The trial, which spanned almost three years, was relatively small, and the researchers recruited only individuals with mild to moderate knee arthritis.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
During his illustrious career that spanned five decades of film, Redford became an Oscar-winning director as well as an activist.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 16 Sep. 2025
King's list was primarily dominated by '70s classics and spanned multiple genres from thrillers to romantic comedies.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Luke Barr, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2025
The plant—and particularly the liverwurst product made there—was determined to be the source of a Listeria outbreak that spanned May to September of last year, sickening at least 61 people across 19 states.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 16 Sep. 2025
Though the Eternal Sunshine Tour will be far smaller than Grande’s last trek, which spanned 10 months with nearly 100 dates, the Wicked star has expressed that winding down the scale of her touring output has been necessary to redefining her relationship to performing in a healthy way.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2025
Redford's career spanned decades, but his portrayal of Death as a quiet guide remains one of his most haunting and human performances.
—Hannah Parry
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The sweepstakes and marketing company filed for Chapter 11 in April, citing growing financial strain that spanned from rising operational costs and changes in consumer behavior.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
The trial, which spanned almost three years, was relatively small, and the researchers recruited only individuals with mild to moderate knee arthritis.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
During his illustrious career that spanned five decades of film, Redford became an Oscar-winning director as well as an activist.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 16 Sep. 2025
King's list was primarily dominated by '70s classics and spanned multiple genres from thrillers to romantic comedies.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spanned
Verb
-
Downgrades could have series knock-on effects on French borrowing costs, as measured by the yield on its government bonds, economists warn.—
Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
-
In other words, poaching is twice the size of legal hunting, measured in economic terms.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Having escaped disaster and gauged the full extent of American self-deterrence, Putin began putting pressure on Ukraine’s neighbors and suppliers.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Measurements and measurables can be gauged in this sport if there is a 4th-and-goal situation, a pass that just missed, a tackle that just missed.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spanned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spanned. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share