as in 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 splayed
The stadium went silent in the 14th minute when Abunada was left splayed out on the grass after Remo Freuler rammed his leg into the keeper’s head in the box.
—
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
But this series is now tied 2-2 after the Hurricanes regained their composure to score the final two goals — the go-ahead one by Jordan Staal as he was splayed out onto his stomach — and win 5-3.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 June 2026
Week after week, his digits splayed across his helmet in anguish after passes ticked off his hands and into the grass.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
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
DeChambeau splayed drives right, and putts short, long, wide and all about the tricky Aronimink greens.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
But this series is now tied 2-2 after the Hurricanes regained their composure to score the final two goals — the go-ahead one by Jordan Staal as he was splayed out onto his stomach — and win 5-3.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 June 2026
Week after week, his digits splayed across his helmet in anguish after passes ticked off his hands and into the grass.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
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
DeChambeau splayed drives right, and putts short, long, wide and all about the tricky Aronimink greens.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for splayed
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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Ryne Nelson scattered nine hits over seven efficient innings, while closer Paul Sewald survived Donovan Walton’s two-out homer in the ninth to lock down his 18th save in 19 chances.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
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One of the areas hit includes Bridgeview, where pieces of roofing remained scattered around an apartment building on 79th Street after powerful winds ripped through the area.—
Darius Johnson,
CBS News,
15 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
“Splayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splayed. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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