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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of sprawl
The sprawling conflict, which started when the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, is not expected to have a major effect on the March employment numbers.
—
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
The investigation is sprawling, according to sources.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Becerra pointed to his experiences leading the sprawling federal health agency during the Biden administration, including dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the wildfires that devastated Maui, Hawaii, avian flu and mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
That sprawling estate was developed by casino mogul Steve Wynn, with about 12,600 square feet, seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and roughly 210 feet of private beachfront.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
The investigation is sprawling, according to sources.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Becerra pointed to his experiences leading the sprawling federal health agency during the Biden administration, including dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the wildfires that devastated Maui, Hawaii, avian flu and mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
That sprawling estate was developed by casino mogul Steve Wynn, with about 12,600 square feet, seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and roughly 210 feet of private beachfront.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawl
Verb
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Those connections extend beyond the dining room.—
Evan Moore
April 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
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But the Red Sox stayed patient and extended at-bats as Crochet did his job keeping the Brewers off the board for the first six innings.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The bones of a diverging diamond intersection have been laid at the site, which straddles the border between Kansas City and Lee’s Summit, cutting along View High Drive.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
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But the college and pro game have diverged.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The neighborhood/area The Loutrel sits at the northern edge of Charleston’s French Quarter, known for its Huguenot roots and art galleries.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
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The average home for sale now sits for 88 days, a significant jump from 54 days last year.—
Chase Jordan
April 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Its owners have expanded their impact and influence to the nearby community to limit development and maintain its cultural identity, which includes restoring and caring for the historic stone buildings from the salt trade era.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
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This will expand affordable rental options and enable home repairs, solar installations and energy upgrades.—
Chase Jordan
April 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Why Frederick Jackson Turner’s Frontier Thesis initially flopped.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
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After beating Atlanta last Friday without Jaylen Brown and Charlotte on Sunday without Brown and Derrick White, Boston flopped in a rematch with the Hawks, losing 112-102 without a crew of contributors headlined by a resting Jayson Tatum.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Administrator Crystal Ruth switches on dozens of heat lamps that radiate a yellow hue to warm at least 80 disabled, abandoned or formerly abused animals that call the rescue home.—
Julian Camejo,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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In the following months, painful shocks radiated through her chest and back.—
Brett Kelman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There are more ways than lounging on your couch sipping Arnold Palmers to take it all in.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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From a morning perusing the Louvre to an afternoon lounging at the Luxembourg Garden—plus a day trip to Champagne or a weekend away in Burgundy—these 15 items embrace French chic.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The case for more medical freedom rests on laudable principles.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Also, Goldman’s framework rests not on a direct count of jobs lost to AI and jobs created by AI in real time, but on inferences derived from a regression analysis.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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