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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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.
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
Think sprawling properties with gorgeous grounds, postcard-worthy pool decks, five-star dining, and included activities aimed at providing fun for all types of travelers.
—
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
On this week’s episode of Talking Central Florida, Molly Duerig, environment reporter for Central Florida Public Media, and Abe Aboraya from the Oviedo Community News discuss the legal and philosophical battle over rural boundaries and other policies designed to limit sprawling development.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
It’s been months since contract negotiations broke down, leaving thousands of Florida Blue policyholders squeezed out of medical care provided by the two sprawling Broward hospital districts’ 11 hospitals and caregiver networks.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
House lawmakers were digging into Jeffrey Epstein’s sprawling financial portfolio on Wednesday as a committee deposed his former accountant and tried to understand his connections to some of the world’s wealthiest men.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
On this week’s episode of Talking Central Florida, Molly Duerig, environment reporter for Central Florida Public Media, and Abe Aboraya from the Oviedo Community News discuss the legal and philosophical battle over rural boundaries and other policies designed to limit sprawling development.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
It’s been months since contract negotiations broke down, leaving thousands of Florida Blue policyholders squeezed out of medical care provided by the two sprawling Broward hospital districts’ 11 hospitals and caregiver networks.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
House lawmakers were digging into Jeffrey Epstein’s sprawling financial portfolio on Wednesday as a committee deposed his former accountant and tried to understand his connections to some of the world’s wealthiest men.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawl
Verb
-
Bruins star winger David Pastrnak extended his point streak against Montreal to 14 games, tying Bobby Orr for the longest by a Bruins player against the Canadiens.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Ahead of a meeting in Brussels, the European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc's foreign ministers would discuss possibly extending a naval mission that protects ships in the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz, without giving any details.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, the study found that a diverging diamond interchange would improve traffic times and reduce the number of crashes by 32 accidents per year.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
-
That, Miranda decided in November, was where two tightly aligned paths diverged.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
An elevator swept me up to the higher floors where the lobby sits next to the hotel’s all-day restaurant Lakorn.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
All of the children, spouses and grandchildren sat with her and not their father at the viewing and funeral service.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Other bank expansions in Charlotte Several other banks have been expanding in the Charlotte region, too.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Production plans call for an initial deployment of dozens of units this year, scaling to thousands annually as manufacturing capacity expands.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Both teams … the Heat and the Wizards … conspired with their flopping and intentional fouling to get him to 83.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Still, the series might have flopped were its actors not so likable.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Among the most notable is Teatro del Bíobío, a performing arts venue in the city of Concepción that, by night, radiates warm light through a semi-translucent facade like a paper lantern.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Spradlin said Straw Bale radiates understated warmth, while Autumnal Peach brings a dry and sun-infused heat.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And for those who want to lounge and nap as much as possible, Costa Rica has plenty of all-inclusive resorts that are conducive to complete relaxation.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Amenities include lush landscaped areas, pools, spas, lounging areas, a pavilion and 14 private boat slips.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Both teams were shorthanded with eight players on each side ruled out due to injuries – or rest in the case of Kyle Filipowski, a 22-year-old forward who played 25 minutes two nights earlier in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Much of the progress toward eliminating sleeping sickness rests on the work of African researchers and patients who took part in the trials, despite difficult conditions.—
Fran Kritz,
NPR,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
