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spans 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of span
as in measures
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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spans

2 of 2

noun

plural of span
1
as in pairs

Related Words
2
as in spaces

Related Words

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 spans
Verb
The story spans 1955 to 1971, tracing the lead-up to R&AW’s formation and its first mission during the 1971 war against Pakistan. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026 Feldman hopes the exhibition, which spans fine-line drawings of entangled lovers and radiant topographical tapestries, will complicate that familiar account. — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026 Our cult of excellence spans through centuries and is well embodied by people like Leonardo da Vinci, Guglielmo Marconi, Enrico Fermi and countless other pioneers who changed the world with their talent. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026 The new Vista Point Trail, just beneath the Golden Gate Bridge North Vista Point, spans about 1,600 feet. — Sooji Nam, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026 The category spans premium wellness brands like HigherDOSE, recovery-tech labels and mass retail entrants at Sephora, Best Buy and Target. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 The four-story hotel features 88 studios, 12 lofts and six suites, including a signature suite that spans 2,250 square feet. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026 Located within a contemporary development less than 500 feet from the beach, the modern pad spans almost 5,000 square feet, with five bedrooms and six bathrooms spread across three floors. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2026 Industries That Don’t Talk to Each Other Oiaknin’s portfolio spans construction, advanced manufacturing, technology, and business services. — Malana Vantyler, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spans
  1. measures
  2. pairs
  3. years
  4. gauges
  5. couples
  6. stretches
  7. weighs
  8. teams
Verb
  • During the summer, archaeologists discovered the stone and wood wall, which measures 72 feet, at the site.
    — Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
  • By the time an organization measures the outcome, the human system has already processed the pressure and produced a response.
    — Dr Natalie Callis, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of measures
Noun
  • The relationship quickly became serious and highly visible, with the pair making public appearances and Rodgers openly discussing their life together.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Britain also advanced on Sunday, with doubles pair Henry Patten and Neal Skupski beating Gonzalo Escobar and Diego Hidalgo 6-3, 6-4 to secure a 3-0 win over Ecuador.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of pairs
Noun
  • Ten years ago, on Mother’s Day, Fiona Galvin reported her 17-year-old daughter missing.
    — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
  • Over the past 10 years, Quinn has seen an increase in challenging behavior and more emotions among her 6- and 7-year-olds, with a particular ramp-up since the pandemic.
    — Stacker, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Definition of years
Verb
  • Another neat trick this TV has up its sleeve is an AI light sensor that gauges the room's ambient light and automatically adjusts the screen brightness to it.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
  • San Diego earned a 78 out of 100 Redfin Compete Score, which gauges how competitive a market is.
    — Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 16 July 2026
Definition of gauges
Noun
  • These will continue to be the entry point for most couples, and the evidence supports them.
    — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Before couples give up and split into separate rooms, a growing lineup of snoring solutions is trying to keep both people in the same bed and both people actually asleep.
    — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of couples
Noun
  • As space agencies look toward longer missions to the moon and Mars, astronauts will spend extended stretches beyond the reach of Earth's magnetic field.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Walls of glass glide open to expose the main living spaces onto a large terrace, where an infinity pool stretches toward Biscayne Bay and a private dock.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of stretches
Verb
  • Reporter Melissa Stark said the brace weighs less than a pound and is made of magnesium, instead of titanium.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The find eclipses the previous record holder — a roughly 14-pound Terslev hoard — and weighs nearly three times as much.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of weighs
Noun
  • IvyCraft is designed for researchers, students, educators, content creators, consultants, and teams that regularly turn source material into presentations, videos, podcasts, or visual content.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The last time these teams were district foes, Seminole beat the Blue Darters twice in 2023 — including a playoff game.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of teams

Browse Nearby Words

spanning
spans
spar
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Cite this Entry

“Spans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spans. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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