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
People run for safety as a drone, probably downed by Russian air defenses, plummets into a building in a sprawling marketplace.
—
Gianluca Mezzofiore,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
The sprawling facility cycles through tens of thousands of recruits every year.
—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
The latest album from John Dwyer and his fellow garage-psych explorers embraces a fluid, improvisatory approach rooted in sprawling jam sessions and infinitely unspooling grooves.
—
Stuart Berman,
Pitchfork,
18 June 2026
An array of national news networks also captured the grand opening ceremony in real time, but MS NOW went all in, broadcasting from a remote pop-up studio on the roof of the new Chicago Public Library branch embedded on the sprawling South Side campus.
—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Gianluca Mezzofiore,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
The sprawling facility cycles through tens of thousands of recruits every year.
—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
The latest album from John Dwyer and his fellow garage-psych explorers embraces a fluid, improvisatory approach rooted in sprawling jam sessions and infinitely unspooling grooves.
—
Stuart Berman,
Pitchfork,
18 June 2026
An array of national news networks also captured the grand opening ceremony in real time, but MS NOW went all in, broadcasting from a remote pop-up studio on the roof of the new Chicago Public Library branch embedded on the sprawling South Side campus.
—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawl
Verb
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The global index provider extended Indonesia’s status as an emerging market after freezing the country’s stocks in its indexes in January, citing investability concerns.
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Tuesday’s ruling declares the case a class action and extends the order nationwide.
Verb
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Housing sits at the center of that strategy.
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With the completion of a multi-year effort to modernize Baltimore’s rail infrastructure — raising bridges, modifying overpasses and expanding the Howard Street Tunnel to accommodate double-stack container trains — Baltimore once again sits at the center of a national rail breakthrough.
Verb
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Lombardo has taken healthcare stances in his first term that diverge from the typical Republican playbook.
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Executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham has given no indication that the Bulls will look to diverge from this top four, which means the Bulls will land the final member of this group on Tuesday.
Verb
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In Late Summer In late summer, iris plants can become disheveled-looking and even flop over.
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Replay shows the defender never made meaningful contact and the offensive player overly-exaggerated the contact (flopped).
Verb
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Love’s Travel Stops just expanded its service offerings for RVs, including light maintenance, battery replacement and tire replacement.
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California's new personal finance graduation requirement The lessons come as California prepares to expand financial education statewide.
Verb
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For the ready-to-wear line, Tcherassi created signature striped dresses and cover-ups in deep blue guipure lace perfect for lounging around Capri.
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You are encouraged to sit and lounge and read.
Verb
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Her lips amplified her glow, painted in a romantic glossy pink ready to radiate light.
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Their voices capture the nostalgia, warmth and joy that radiate from their characters and the movie as a whole.
Verb
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In a third photo, Justin rested his chin on Jack's shoulder while holding him with one arm.
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All locomotion modes are limited by the metabolic scopes of organisms—the ratio between peak exertion and resting (or basal) metabolic rate.
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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