as in spreads
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 splays
Across the boat, a young guy with thin lips and a sweater tied around his shoulders leans back and splays his legs.
—
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
The Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale splays out in full shade from the condo buildings and strips of golden sun.
—Eric Barton, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026
The sneakers feature Altra’s signature FootShape design, which splays at the front to give your toes ample space for natural movement.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 13 Nov. 2025
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
The Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale splays out in full shade from the condo buildings and strips of golden sun.
—Eric Barton, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026
The sneakers feature Altra’s signature FootShape design, which splays at the front to give your toes ample space for natural movement.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for splays
Verb
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For something more expansive, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa spreads across 45 acres of grounds with multiple pools, lazy rivers, and golf courses.—
Sophie Morgan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
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This low-maintenance groundcover spreads easily, covering everything from garden borders to retaining wall edges.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Griffin Creek, a 25-year-old living in southern Oregon and working in IT, makes $20 an hour and splits $1,500 rent for a 900-square-foot apartment with his girlfriend.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
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Nayak splits a three-bedroom house with two fellow Amazon employees.—
Celia Fernandez
Zachary Green,
CNBC,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Splays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splays. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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