1
as in to extend
to extend outwards from or as if from a central point
The suburbs sprawl for miles beyond the city's downtown.
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2
as in to stretch (out)
to rest with the arms and legs spread out
There's no feeling like sprawling out on your bed after a hard day's work.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sprawl
Guests will surely appreciate the central location of the Picasso Museum, and the grandeur of the venue, a sprawling mansion built between 1656 and 1659 and prized as a typical example of Mazarin architecture.
—
Miles Socha, Footwear News, 12 Jan. 2026
The man’s body was found sprawled near his tent; Townsend said that the man’s dog had also been fatally shot.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Gazing out the window on approach to Salt Lake City’s sprawling semi-new international transportation edifice, Lamar Skeeter ponders his trail mirroring the rugged terrain surrounding the area below.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Askar also owns the sprawling mansion in Farmington formerly owned by rapper 50-Cent.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Miles Socha, Footwear News, 12 Jan. 2026
The man’s body was found sprawled near his tent; Townsend said that the man’s dog had also been fatally shot.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Gazing out the window on approach to Salt Lake City’s sprawling semi-new international transportation edifice, Lamar Skeeter ponders his trail mirroring the rugged terrain surrounding the area below.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Askar also owns the sprawling mansion in Farmington formerly owned by rapper 50-Cent.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawl
Verb
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Hardware proven beyond Earth That validation already extends into space.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
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These shifts extend beyond demographics to governance itself.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While both entered the war to roll back Iranian influence, their strategies diverged.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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Instead, implementation has diverged sharply across the state.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Olathe’s trajectory mirrors what’s happening across Johnson County — which saw more than 90% of the homes go up in value in 2024, with the average home prices sitting at $508,000 and average sale price at $557,000.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
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Jacob Elordi stopped by DiCaprio’s table to say hello, as Patricia Arquette found Mia Goth in the crowd for a hug and Chalamet made a quiet arrival and sat next to his Marty Supreme co-star Odessa A'Zion.—
Andrea Mandell,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Flywing also plans to expand the competitive side of the platform.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
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Neutrality allowed the nation to build strength, expand westward, and avoid the ideological contagions sweeping the continent.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The free-agent signing of Nate Davis flopped.—
Kevin Fishbain,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
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Early experiments, like the Humane AI pin, have flopped due to high prices and poor performance.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As per usual, Kate Hudson radiated warmth and elegance amid the sea of celebrities at the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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Disabled after a childhood accident, Belle spent most of her time indoors, radiating a sadness that even at the age of 4 made Gilberg worry for her safety.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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They can easily be transitioned from lounging at home to a street-ready outfit or casual traveling, as the stripes can be mixed and matched with a wide range of tops like blazers, denim jackets, and simple tees—all without looking sloppy.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
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This chair makes an ideal lounging spot for reading or watching television, thanks to its supportive foam construction.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Letting cookie dough rest is one of the hardest parts of making cookies.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
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That’s why investing in a plush, comfortable duvet insert or comforter is essential for creating a cozy oasis to start the new year off well-rested.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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