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
Chérizier, 48, who’s been actively meeting with former rivals, may be trying to duplicate the conditions in Carrefour, a sprawling suburb south of the capital where gangs now settle disputes, enact rules and profit from residents’ commercial activities.
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Johnny Fils-Aimé, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Instead of launching sprawling initiatives, teams focus on one clear use case.
—Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
But with a domestic premiere figure like that and global figures reaching as high as $187 million, the thrilling conclusion to the sprawling Conjuring universe may be coming for those crowns, too.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
The new blueprint would lift that to 35 feet at Tecolote Creek, 40 feet at other urban villages and 65 feet at the city’s two main shopping areas — the Clairemont Town Square and the sprawling plazas where Balboa and Genesee Avenues intersect.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Johnny Fils-Aimé, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Instead of launching sprawling initiatives, teams focus on one clear use case.
—Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
But with a domestic premiere figure like that and global figures reaching as high as $187 million, the thrilling conclusion to the sprawling Conjuring universe may be coming for those crowns, too.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
The new blueprint would lift that to 35 feet at Tecolote Creek, 40 feet at other urban villages and 65 feet at the city’s two main shopping areas — the Clairemont Town Square and the sprawling plazas where Balboa and Genesee Avenues intersect.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawl
Verb
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Republican lawmakers are upping the pressure on GOP leaders to extend enhanced health insurance subsidies set to expire at year’s end for those with Affordable Care Act coverage, bolstering similar demands from Democrats as part of government funding talks.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
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The two countries last month agreed to extend the trade truce by another 90 days, to mid-November.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Following that incident, analysts wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Turkish-Israeli mock dogfights, not unlike the recurring Turkish-Greek ones over the Aegean Sea, occurring over Syria, especially if Israel and Turkey’s opposing policies in that country diverge even further.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Their immigration statuses — and fates — diverge in dramatic ways that make their connection complicated.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The case then sat unsolved for years, until recent advances in forensic genetic DNA technology would become critical to this investigation.—
Claire Lempert,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
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Bonneville, sitting behind her, grabbed her hand for the last 15 minutes and didn’t let go.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Unrivaled Experiences Growth Spurt Unrivaled will expand ahead of its second season with the addition of two new clubs and a development player pool, the league announced Wednesday.—
Roberta F. Rodrigues,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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The panel issued over 100 recommendations, from limiting cash bail for misdemeanors to expanding racial equity training for prosecutors.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Since this season’s halcyon days -- a weekend home sweep of the Yankees that got Miami even at 55-55 -- the Fish have flopped at 10-22 .—
Greg Cote
September 7,
Miami Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
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Cellphone bill flop prompts finger-pointing Hall seized on the vote breakdown as an example of Democratic lawmakers out of step with Whitmer and out of touch with public support for cellphone restrictions at school.—
Clara Hendrickson,
Freep.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Gynecological Conditions Problems in the female reproductive organs can cause radiating pain to the lower right back.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
6 Sep. 2025
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How to change a system with a prototype Walton and Makhija’s ambitions start locally, but quickly radiate outwards.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Marlowe, lounging behind Frizer, grabbed Frizer’s dagger and struck him in the head; Frizer snatched it back and returned the compliment.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Personalized itineraries While some guests are perfectly happy to lounge by the pool or swim in the ocean, others may want to explore.—
Sherrie Nachman,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Still, Demi Moore never rests on her style laurels.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
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The visible-light photo, taken by one of Maxar Technologies' WorldView Legion satellites orbiting at an altitude of 312 miles (518 kilometers), shows what appears to be a fleet of fighter jets resting on the ramp adjacent to the runway surrounded by brown, arid soil.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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