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
In the sprawling home of my great-uncle, who spent many years as a sales representative for Harper & Row—before it was absorbed into HarperCollins, now my own publisher—and the duplex townhouses of my grandparents.
—
Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Night 2 of Jeezy’s residency had a masquerade theme, with the star and his sprawling band of classical musicians — comprised of members of The Color of Noize Orchestra — performing a program of original music composed by Derrick Hodge with musical direction from Adam Blackstone.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025
Lee shared that for Kokuho, a few of the kabuki scenes had around 500 extras on set — a sprawling operation.
—Sara Merican, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
From the couple’s iconic Lake Como villa in Italy to a sprawling French country estate, a chic property along the River Thames in England, and multiple residences in New York City and Kentucky, the Clooneys have curated a truly global real estate portfolio worthy of their A-list status.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Night 2 of Jeezy’s residency had a masquerade theme, with the star and his sprawling band of classical musicians — comprised of members of The Color of Noize Orchestra — performing a program of original music composed by Derrick Hodge with musical direction from Adam Blackstone.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025
Lee shared that for Kokuho, a few of the kabuki scenes had around 500 extras on set — a sprawling operation.
—Sara Merican, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
From the couple’s iconic Lake Como villa in Italy to a sprawling French country estate, a chic property along the River Thames in England, and multiple residences in New York City and Kentucky, the Clooneys have curated a truly global real estate portfolio worthy of their A-list status.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawl
Verb
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China’s Seafaring History (Smithsonian Magazine) by Sean Kingsley China has a history of maritime trade extending to West Africa, the Mediterranean, and much of Asia that goes back to the first millennium.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
29 Oct. 2025
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Narrative has a seemingly relentless, ungovernable momentum, but humans retain a control over war stories that does not extend to war itself.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Consider a night out with friends, and the diverging consequences of buying a round of shots versus opening up Instagram.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
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Now, among residents aged 15 to 49, those rates are about 5% higher, a pattern that began diverging in the 2000s and has steadily widened.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Between the two lies a great outdoor bar, where all are welcome to sit and grab cocktails and snacks.—
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
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That’s lower than Sunderland, who currently sit six points ahead, with Everton’s greater survival chances reflecting their experience and squad depth.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At the crux of those tensions are a gaping trade imbalance and efforts from the US to ensure its national security against an increasingly assertive China, including by expanding restrictions on China’s access to American high tech, like the advanced semiconductors needed to power AI.—
Betsy Klein,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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Seeing as how the first tribe swap failed to shake anything up and gave us two more obvious telegraphed votes, the producers decided to blow it all up again and expand back to three tribes.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Lawrence has been open in past interviews about needing to take a two year break from Hollywood after making 16 movies in six years, a string of which flopped at the box office and only inflamed the public’s negative reception of her.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
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The flowers are the best, even if the leaves are lame and flop over.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The meteors—the flashes and streaks of light—appear to radiate from the constellation Taurus.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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Do this in the early evening while there's still daylight and the ground is radiating heat.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Now that the restoration is complete, Birger is spending her days in the kitchen cooking, lounging on the sunbed at the pool, and working in her studio.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
28 Oct. 2025
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In a viral TikTok shared by user @rejumadnil, a small dog can be seen calmly lounging on what appears to be an entire couch cushion placed neatly inside its kennel.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sharon’s final delusions about Beryl are put to rest as she’s placed under arrest, and Donnelly tests out a draft of her case report on Elsbeth.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
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Roshane Thomas What the data says Once again, West Ham’s hopes rest on the shoulders of their talisman, Bowen.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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