splay

Definition of splaynext
as in to spread
to cause to move outward and apart He sat with his legs splayed apart. She splayed her fingers to show off her manicure.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar 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 splay The limbs in question were vast, inflatable, and splayed, maybe fifteen feet high, and bent at the knee, as if a giant were lying on its back. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 The moped passenger, who police said was struck by the truck’s rear wheel, can be seen on the video splayed out unconscious on the street. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026 Rogen splays himself, theatrically broken, on the floor. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 26 June 2026 But before long, the singer/guitarist’s blunt attitude that’s splayed all over Lambrini Girls’ protest songs comes out to play. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for splay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for splay
Verb
  • Mayor Mamdani’s aides violated city rules and state law in using the disappearing Signal app to send messages to internet influencers to help them to spread word of the mayor’s achievements.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Extracting it economically remains difficult because uranium atoms are spread across vast volumes of water.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • This natural process splits water molecules and steadily produces pure hydrogen gas within the surrounding rock formations.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The two began dating in 2021 following Giancola’s split from ex-fiancé Christian Biscardi.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Splay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splay. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster