Thesaurus results for SPANS

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

Relevance

spans

2 of 2

noun

plural of span

as in pairs

Related Words

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 latter group’s price range spans approximately £1,500 to £2,000. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 17 July 2026 The poem — known as one of the oldest pieces of literature — spans 24 books and is often seen as a companion piece to Homer’s 24-book poem The Iliad which covers the Trojan War. — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026 Avimor spans 23,000 acres, three counties, and is approved to build 10,000 homes. — Noah Daly july 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026 The festival, which spans the beach between Santa Monica Pier and Bay Street, takes its name from the street where Allen Sides founded the Ocean Way Recording studios. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026 With nature’s molecule at the core, the drug candidate then faces the same gauntlet of clinical trials as any other, a process that often spans a decade or more. — Steve Midway, STAT, 16 July 2026 Her preference inspired the taquería’s vegetarian menu that spans tortas, mulitas, burritos and cheese enchiladas. — Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 About Carowinds’ parent company, Six Flags From 2006 to 2024, Cedar Fair owned the 400-acre park, which spans the border of North Carolina and South Carolina. — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2026 The six-bedroom home spans 15,000 square feet over three floors. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spans

Verb

Cargo space measures 56 cubic feet behind the second row and expands to a healthy 112 cubic feet (3,171 L) with the seats folded and slid forward.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
The deck measures time and money, so time and money fill the entire frame.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of measures

Noun

So the pair enlisted legendary singers like Tina Turner and Macy Gray to lay down takes, but Davis was after a different, newer sound.

— Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
The Marty Supreme actor wore a sporty tracksuit with the team emblem and blue, white, and red panelling, plus a pair of oval sunglasses and silver sneakers.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 July 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

Activity impact gauges how physical exertion is affecting your recovery.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
Ned Davis Research strategist Ed Clissold pointed out that his firm's multicap advance/decline line, which gauges the number of stocks that rose in a day minus those that fell, last peaked on April 20.

— Fred Imbert, CNBC, 22 June 2026

Definition of gauges

Noun

Unlike most sagas about band couples — Sonny & Cher, Fleetwood Mac — these guys don’t go down in flames musically or personally.

— Marisa Fox, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026
For couples trying to build a life that feels both grounded and inspired, Charlotte makes a strong case for itself.

— Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Definition of couples

Noun

That sequence would be remembered as one of the more famous, hilarious stretches in recent golf history, maybe even the core memory of Spieth’s ever-entertaining prime.

— Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 July 2026
The Derby's public address announcer implored the fans to cheer during some quiet stretches when homers — non-Phillies edition — were hit.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Definition of stretches

Noun

Butler Fans of other teams The story about Miami Gardens’ final 2026 World Cup match might not be as much about England and France, the two teams playing, but the teams that aren’t playing.

— Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 19 July 2026
Locals cheered alongside international fans for their teams at sports bars, parades through city streets and, of course, World Cup matches.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026

Definition of teams

Browse Nearby Words

spanning

spans

spar

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Spans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spans. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of spans

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on spans

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

raffish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes