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
Off assists from MacKinnon and Brent Burns with about five minutes left in the period, Necas skated his way through the heart of the Calgary defense, splitting a pair of Flames defenders before beating a sprawling Dustin Wolf on the top right shelf.
—
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Instead of The Expanse’s sprawling epic of humanity’s journey to the stars, The Captive’s War sees humans brought under the thumb of a ruthlessly controlling alien empire and struggling to resist, build lives and maybe even find a way to win.
—Sarah Lewin Frasier, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026
Alibaba Chief Executive Officer Eddie Wu has made AI development the overriding priority for the tech giant's sprawling business, which also includes chip design and data centers.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Since its debut in 1999 in Indio, California, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has evolved into a sprawling celebration of music, art and fashion that draws visitors from over 60 countries.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Instead of The Expanse’s sprawling epic of humanity’s journey to the stars, The Captive’s War sees humans brought under the thumb of a ruthlessly controlling alien empire and struggling to resist, build lives and maybe even find a way to win.
—Sarah Lewin Frasier, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026
Alibaba Chief Executive Officer Eddie Wu has made AI development the overriding priority for the tech giant's sprawling business, which also includes chip design and data centers.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Since its debut in 1999 in Indio, California, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has evolved into a sprawling celebration of music, art and fashion that draws visitors from over 60 countries.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawl
Verb
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Carson Kelly’s three-run home run in the ninth allowed Counsell to stay away from closer Daniel Palencia with the Cubs’ lead extended to six runs.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, oil prices extended recent declines.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That brings me to Chappelle, where Collins and I diverge most directly.—
Geoff Bennett,
The Atlantic,
13 Apr. 2026
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Its return at a significantly lower price comes as activity at the top of Manhattan’s market continues to diverge from the broader picture.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Colbert said, as images of the president sitting and looking uncomfortable appeared onscreen.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Apr. 2026
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In January, 2020, one of the law firms representing the trucking companies sent Garrison a subpoena, asking him to sit for a deposition.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The law will expand background checks for adults living with guardians and create a new Child Welfare Ombudsman, which is an independent advocate inside the attorney general's office to handle complaints and review child welfare practices.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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Cooper, who has long served as the host of Call Her Daddy since 2018 alongside her ex-cohost Sofia Franklyn, expanded her podcasting empire into the Unwell Network in August 2023.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The crop can be harvested at anytime, but most gardeners leave bulbs in the ground until the tops decline and flop over.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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Media companies a decade ago raced to engage young, bilingual Latinos by launching start-ups, including a joint venture between ABC News and Univision called Fusion that flopped.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the following months, painful shocks radiated through her chest and back.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
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Regardless, the influence of Amazing Stories’ founding in 1926 radiated throughout the genre’s history like the light through Bradbury’s grandparents’ window, with authors who had their debut in Amazing Stories running the canonical gamut from Asimov to Zelzany.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jonathan is standing over Coach, who is lounging in a hammock like a bruised banana that is too good to touch the counter.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
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As soon as it was delivered (with matching ottoman), our team was fighting each other off for a chance to lounge in the Bun chair.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And the profession’s appeal rests on a tension that The Pitt doesn’t shy away from.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
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The optics surrounding Denver’s decision to rest all five starters Friday and four of them Sunday were suspicious.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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