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.
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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.
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sprawled
No major gaffes to leave any of the contestants sprawled on the killing floor.
—
Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The photo sees the German-South African model wearing a pink gingham top that matches the tablecloth sprawled out beneath an array of foods — and a live chicken — in front of her.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Some third graders focused on drawing pictures as several students sprawled across a rug at the front of the classroom.
—Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Apr. 2026
Against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, James sprawled across the floor for a loose ball and forced a tie-up that eventually helped lead to the Lakers tying the game in regulation before winning in overtime.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
The bear sprawled across one of the carcasses, watching the wolves leave.
—Frank Glaser, Outdoor Life, 1 Apr. 2026
In a TikTok video shared on Thursday under the username @hazy_bmd, the puppy, Hazel, is seen enjoying a quiet moment in the living room, she is sprawled out watching television, surrounded by toys of all sizes, and wearing a pink diaper—an image that quickly sets the lighthearted tone of the clip.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Two minutes later, Brown drove for a hard-charging layup that left Chet Holmgren sprawled on the parquet beneath the basket.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Friends are sprawled out on the couch, or coming in and out of the room to show off their outfits, or sneaking mimosas into coffee cups.
—Jazmine Hughes, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The photo sees the German-South African model wearing a pink gingham top that matches the tablecloth sprawled out beneath an array of foods — and a live chicken — in front of her.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Some third graders focused on drawing pictures as several students sprawled across a rug at the front of the classroom.
—Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Apr. 2026
Against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, James sprawled across the floor for a loose ball and forced a tie-up that eventually helped lead to the Lakers tying the game in regulation before winning in overtime.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
The bear sprawled across one of the carcasses, watching the wolves leave.
—Frank Glaser, Outdoor Life, 1 Apr. 2026
In a TikTok video shared on Thursday under the username @hazy_bmd, the puppy, Hazel, is seen enjoying a quiet moment in the living room, she is sprawled out watching television, surrounded by toys of all sizes, and wearing a pink diaper—an image that quickly sets the lighthearted tone of the clip.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Two minutes later, Brown drove for a hard-charging layup that left Chet Holmgren sprawled on the parquet beneath the basket.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Friends are sprawled out on the couch, or coming in and out of the room to show off their outfits, or sneaking mimosas into coffee cups.
—Jazmine Hughes, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawled
Verb
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This offer will be extended to Spears on Monday, according to the district attorney’s office.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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However, due to the Passover holiday this month, the deadline for mail-in-ballots was extended to April 28.—
Helen Acevedo,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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Two Paths Toward the Same Problem After college, their paths diverged.—
NIa Bowers,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
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More expensive oil has hurt airlines in particular because of the industry’s already big fuel bills, and stocks diverged in the industry following the latest profit reports.—
Stan Choe,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Under Cook, the company has become less surprising but massively financially successful; some of Apple’s newer products have flopped or underperformed, but far more have become and stayed excellent thanks to years of competent iteration.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Cuomo’s podcast and mayoral bid flopped.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Los Angeles cannot solve its housing challenges while responsibility is scattered across multiple departments, with no single office accountable for preventing displacement and increasing housing stability.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
According to the official logline, the story is set after the fall of the Galactic Empire, with Imperial warlords still scattered throughout the galaxy.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Nearby, people and their dogs who had moved into the shelter for the duration of the war lounged on air mattresses, scrolling through their phones.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
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Just days after hard-launching her relationship with French filmmaker Romain Gavras, EmRata lounged in a plunging plush white robe while wearing nothing but some sparkling loud luxury accessories.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While fellow first-round pick Malachi Lawrence will mostly be contained to an outside linebacker role, the versatility theme radiated into day two when the Cowboys took Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham in the third round over a group of other talented defenders.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
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Joined by members of the British royal family, Kate radiated in a lavender midi dress, which not only is an ode to the queen, but also a practical and polished spring style.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Silk pajama pants slouched over Wales Bonner loafers.—
Tyler Matthew Oyer
Feb. 27,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sprawled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawled. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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