SPRAWL Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

sprawl

verb

Definition of sprawl

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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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.

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of sprawl Over the course of three decades, Tony pieced together the land that now makes up the sprawling compound. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026 The Republican president posted a photo showing a once-grassy area by the World War II Memorial, now patchy and brown across much of the sprawling turf. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 The new royal baby is the fifth grandchild for Andrew, who has been stripped of his royal titles, evicted from his sprawling mansion and remains under investigation after being arrested by British police in February. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026 The Society was a sprawling campus on the Adyar River, its peaceful walking paths dotted with old buildings and gently unkempt trees. — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sprawl

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawl

Verb

The collective process involved in the making of even one film is extended by the electric impact of films placed in juxtaposition.

— Geoffrey O’Brien, The New York Review of Books, 22 Aug. 2026
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner extended his contract at Inter Miami last October, tying him to the Major League Soccer side through the 2028 season.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of extend

Verb

Los Angeles City Council members on Tuesday approved a resolution to remove 12 anti-camping zones around Hollywood, ending a years-long ban that prevented people from sitting, sleeping or camping in certain areas.

— Brittney Ermon, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Videos posted on social media show sellers at Tehran and Karaj wholesale markets sitting beside their fresh produce, waiting to sell goods like melons, watermelons, pears, bananas and grapes, but with no-one arriving to buy it.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of sit

Verb

And neural networks itself was originally inspired by neuroscience, but the way that neural networks work today has diverged considerably from that original inspiration.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026
The show diverges from the book’s plot, with some of the storytelling mechanics shifting for the screen.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of diverge

Verb

Designs against the three targets that flopped scored nearly as well as designs against the ones that produced binders in quantity.

— Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
In Bait, Ahmed stars as struggling actor Shah Latif, who flops in his audition to play James Bond and then becomes consumed by the quest to become the first Pakistani 007.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of flop

Verb

Earlier this month, Spotify announced plans to expand its own AI labeling, focusing on telling users when an artist is artificial rather than specific songs.

— James Peckham, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
Longtime American soccer reporter Pablo Maurer’s story outlines a potential 20-team competition that expands the postseason field by two while also adding incentives for teams to finish higher in the table.

— Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

On the heels of the death of his longtime mate Jackie, bald eagle Shadow has been perching, singing and lounging at his Big Bear nest with a new companion.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
For people who take both lounging and running errands seriously, these cashmere sweatpants deliver top-notch comfort.

— Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, InStyle, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of lounge

Verb

The map shows other towers close by, each radiating a string that is fastened to the map when other towers radio in readings.

— Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
The scenes radiate the joy of being young, attractive, and filled with infinite free time and minimal distractions except the open sky above you.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of radiate

Verb

Last year, the park said the plane now rests at shallower depths that do not require technical dive expertise.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
The remains were supposed to be cremated, returned to the donor's family or laid to rest in a cemetery, according to court documents.

— Saleen Martin, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of rest

Browse Nearby Words

sprats

sprawl

sprawled

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of sprawl

verb

Example Sentences

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