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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Recent Examples of splay
Screens are splayed across the bar’s three viewing areas, each with independent audio to prevent commentary overlap, and the rooftop beer garden boasts a 135-inch screen for marquee matches.
—
Charles Usher, Midwest Living, 9 June 2026
In one, a baby lies splayed on the pavement after falling from his ride; in another, a baby in blue jeans pulls the cover off a comparatively massive white motorcycle parked on a curb.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Another ended with lifeless bodies splayed out on the dance floor or slumped in their plates, their blood staining white tablecloths crimson.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 May 2026
Before this handy feature, passengers would have the whole boarding process held up with their bags splayed out in the aisle, digging out one tiny item.
—Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for splay
Charles Usher, Midwest Living, 9 June 2026
In one, a baby lies splayed on the pavement after falling from his ride; in another, a baby in blue jeans pulls the cover off a comparatively massive white motorcycle parked on a curb.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Another ended with lifeless bodies splayed out on the dance floor or slumped in their plates, their blood staining white tablecloths crimson.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 May 2026
Before this handy feature, passengers would have the whole boarding process held up with their bags splayed out in the aisle, digging out one tiny item.
—Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for splay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for splay
Verb
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The base, spread across parts of Kern, Los Angeles and San Bernadino counties, is located about 100 miles north of Los Angeles.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
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The Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak in Congo, which has spread to neighboring Uganda, is causing serious concern among health officials.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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The seven core collaborators – Kogonada, producer Chung An, producer Christopher Radcliff, producer-cinematographer Benjamin Loeb, and actor-producers Richardson, Mao and Jin Ha – collectively owned the project, splitting responsibilities and working without outside financing.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 June 2026
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The last time the jackpot was hit was back on May 2, when two players in Texas and Florida split a $20 million prize.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Splay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splay. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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