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.
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 splayed
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
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
Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 16 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for splayed
Verb
-
While proudly rooted in Italy, the business today features 260 stores spread across 60 countries, giving it a front-row seat to how the world spectates and celebrates the game.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
23 June 2026
-
Investigators found that initial structural failure spread to other elements of the pool deck and street-level parking garage and caused cracks to grow over the span of a few weeks, eventually unseating the southern edge of the pool deck slab from its supporting wall, the report said.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
Verb
-
In Texas, an 18-wheeler dropped $800,000 in dimes onto a highway in April 2025, sending crews scrambling as coins scattered across the roadway.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
-
There are some chairs and picnic tables scattered about, but bring your own seating and go early for a prime location.—
Staff Author,
Southern Living,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
After a 1980s split with Fidel Castro cost him the Interior Ministry, Valdés returned to power in the 2000s, overseeing telecommunications, serving as vice president and helping recover Che Guevara’s remains.—
Andrea Rodriguez,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
-
The delays were split nearly evenly, affecting 332 flights departing the Denver airport and 287 flights arriving, according to FlightAware.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
21 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Splayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splayed. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
