1
as in extended
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 sat
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 sprawled
Velvet curtains flank the floor-to-ceiling windows for some earthy contrast, while a long sectional sofa invites you to spend a relaxing night sprawled out in front of the TV.
—
Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 30 May 2026
Cops responding to a call about an assault in progress found Freeman sprawled on the ground, bleeding from his chest wound.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 29 May 2026
The lively event was sprawled out on the beach between 11th and 14th Streets on Ocean Drive.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 25 May 2026
Cruising thousands of feet above the ground, peering out of the airplane window at the world below, and pinpointing all of the green football, baseball and soccer fields sprawled below.
—Shaun Goodwin
may 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 May 2026
Masked guards stood outside entry gates to the processing complex, which sprawled across several blocks in an industrial port area.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Fatu was last seen holding the World Heavyweight Championship over Reigns, who was sprawled out on the mat.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
One viral Instagram clip posted by Pier 39 showed the sea lion sprawled across a dock while tourists gathered nearby to watch.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Not long into their humiliation of the Hawks, Jalen Brunson sprawled out for a loose ball.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 30 May 2026
Cops responding to a call about an assault in progress found Freeman sprawled on the ground, bleeding from his chest wound.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 29 May 2026
The lively event was sprawled out on the beach between 11th and 14th Streets on Ocean Drive.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 25 May 2026
Cruising thousands of feet above the ground, peering out of the airplane window at the world below, and pinpointing all of the green football, baseball and soccer fields sprawled below.
—Shaun Goodwin
may 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 May 2026
Masked guards stood outside entry gates to the processing complex, which sprawled across several blocks in an industrial port area.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Fatu was last seen holding the World Heavyweight Championship over Reigns, who was sprawled out on the mat.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
One viral Instagram clip posted by Pier 39 showed the sea lion sprawled across a dock while tourists gathered nearby to watch.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Not long into their humiliation of the Hawks, Jalen Brunson sprawled out for a loose ball.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawled
Verb
-
Georgia completely froze its gas tax in March for two months and has extended its freeze as the conflict with Iran continues.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
28 May 2026
-
Some players stand to make more money, or at least have their contract extended sooner, by earning certain honors during specific seasons.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Levi Jones, a 33-year-old business owner, pulled up to Sacred Eye Tattoos in Hollywood last week and sat for eight hours getting a photorealistic black-and-white portrait of Mangione on his leg.—
Amanda Rosa,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
-
The birthday boy and his big sister Sterling Skye, 3, each sat between one of their parents’ laps.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Sonko and Faye had diverged on how to resolve the crisis, but the formation of a new government may clarify the path forward, Paul Melly, a consulting fellow at UK think tank Chatham House, told Semafor.—
Jenny Vaughan,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
-
In the aftermath of the pandemic, models diverged sharply.—
Dr. Peter Fotinos,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The willingness to protect meaning over volume is precisely what has made the brand more culturally relevant than numerous others that came up alongside it and flopped.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
His first attempt, a dystopian fantasy, had flopped.—
Nathan Heller,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
From room to room walls are covered in blue block prints or hot-pink illustrations of pear trees, while floors are scattered with artisanal rugs and a collection of curios—a rooster statue, a floral dress form—is hidden all over.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Upon arrival, daytrippers are greeted with a sign highlighting 20 notable sights scattered throughout the island.—
Brittany Anas,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
After flying to the exotic location, Jenner lounged around in a tiny pink bikini in the same color as her brand's font.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
-
Posing against the backdrop of the ocean, Klum twirled around and lounged on a log in the sand, showing off different angles of the plunging string bikini design.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Though the speeches didn’t seem to matter, the fans, known as ARMY, radiated palpable excitement in the stadium.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
Katie Couric, 69, radiated in a strapless black gown with a voluminous trailing train.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Video of Dick slouched over on a Los Angeles sidewalk circulated quickly.—
David Manheim,
Rolling Stone,
20 May 2026
-
Her wedge of baked Alaska slouched on the plate like a children’s book illustration meant to convey sadness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sprawled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawled. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
