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.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of splay
The full video shows a man — Retes — splayed on the ground surrounded by agents.
—
Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
Kuminga was splayed out on the floor after Lakers reserve Jake LaRavia had buckled him with a hesitation move midway through the quarter.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Weah often stayed high, with Miles Robinson splaying out to the right touchline in a traditional right fullback position.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
To keep making the most of your grill, try Nosrat’s Joojeh Kebab, where chicken thighs are marinated in yogurt, saffron, and a hit of citrus before being splayed on the barbecue.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for splay
Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
Kuminga was splayed out on the floor after Lakers reserve Jake LaRavia had buckled him with a hesitation move midway through the quarter.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Weah often stayed high, with Miles Robinson splaying out to the right touchline in a traditional right fullback position.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
To keep making the most of your grill, try Nosrat’s Joojeh Kebab, where chicken thighs are marinated in yogurt, saffron, and a hit of citrus before being splayed on the barbecue.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for splay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for splay
Verb
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The organization's dogs don't just support New Yorkers on marathon day; New York Therapy Animals' fluffy volunteers spread smiles across the city's hospitals, healthcare facilities, day centers, and assisted living facilities.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Looking ahead, Westenberger said Carter’s may actually benefit from increasing costs in the year ahead, as the impact of tariffs is spread across the industry.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sometimes lightning hits the mountainside and splits or burns a tree.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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Jeanty, initially lined up in the right slot, motioned into the backfield, leaving Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers lined up to that side, with receivers Tyler Lockett and Tre Tucker split to the left.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Splay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splay. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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