1
as in extending
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 sitting
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 sprawling
Aside from the official Fan Festival, there are plenty of pubs and bars planning their own Texas-sized World Cup celebrations, from sprawling newcomer Craft with its bocce court for halftime games to tried-and-tested favorites like The Londoner, Cannon's, and Harwood Arms.
—
Jonathan Thompson, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
The performance followed similar shows by Madonna in 2024 and Lady Gaga last year, which also were attended by huge crowds that danced on the sprawling sands.
—CBS News, 3 May 2026
The sprawling Goodzone mall flung open its doors in 2014 amid much fanfare.
—Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
One is the sprawling new District 22, which stretches from Davie on the east to Marco Island near Naples on the west and north to Pahokee, a sugar cane town on the rim of Lake Okeechobee.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
These 10 easy-care and small-space friendly crops will produce an abundant harvest, no sprawling kitchen garden required.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2026
The performance followed similar shows by Madonna in 2024 and Lady Gaga last year, which also were attended by huge crowds that danced on the sprawling sands.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
The sprawling complex is home to 150,000 animals of 2,000 species, including elephants, tigers, lions and bears – but no hippos.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 1 May 2026
Just outside Kansas City—on the Kansas side, natch—lies a sprawling equestrian estate that may very well be the most expensive home to hit the market in the area.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
Jonathan Thompson, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
The performance followed similar shows by Madonna in 2024 and Lady Gaga last year, which also were attended by huge crowds that danced on the sprawling sands.
—CBS News, 3 May 2026
The sprawling Goodzone mall flung open its doors in 2014 amid much fanfare.
—Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
One is the sprawling new District 22, which stretches from Davie on the east to Marco Island near Naples on the west and north to Pahokee, a sugar cane town on the rim of Lake Okeechobee.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
These 10 easy-care and small-space friendly crops will produce an abundant harvest, no sprawling kitchen garden required.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2026
The performance followed similar shows by Madonna in 2024 and Lady Gaga last year, which also were attended by huge crowds that danced on the sprawling sands.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
The sprawling complex is home to 150,000 animals of 2,000 species, including elephants, tigers, lions and bears – but no hippos.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 1 May 2026
Just outside Kansas City—on the Kansas side, natch—lies a sprawling equestrian estate that may very well be the most expensive home to hit the market in the area.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawling
Verb
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And of course Mike Brown pulled Mitchell Robinson, who missed four straight free throws when the 76ers began intentionally fouling him in the first quarter, only to continue extending the lead despite the Sixers’ attempts at stifling his rotation.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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For his part, Becerra supports extending existing measures like Propositions 30 and 55, both of which call for much smaller tax increases on a larger share of citizens.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
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That’s 127% of it historical average, sitting six feet below capacity.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
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The case drew national attention in 2001, fueled by intense media coverage and scrutiny of Levy’s relationship with a sitting congressman.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Asia-Pacific markets were trading lower Friday, diverging from Wall Street's record-setting rally.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
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Likewise diverging from the norm, a Retiarius on a pottery relief from Gaul, instead of being almost naked, wears a helmet, body armor, and greaves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Suggs set the tone for the series in the opening quarter of Game 1, disrupting Pistons passes, sinking a pair of 3-pointers and belly-flopping to the floor to collect a loose basketball.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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This was inevitable after McCollum inadvertently kicked Jalen Brunson in the groin, then accused the Knicks star of flopping in Game 1; and then got into a heated spat with Jose Alvarado before sinking the game-winning jumper in Game 2.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Officials said the department is expanding coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services to include parents above that threshold.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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That means expanding solar on city facilities and exploring innovative energy options to reduce emissions and long-term costs.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The bear was eventually hit with a dart and fell asleep on top of a cinder block wall dividing two properties, its body straddling either side.—
Terry Castleman,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
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The gubernatorial candidates are straddling Trump in some kind of uneasy peace.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On the ceiling, where the nave and transept intersect, there will be a depiction of the Holy Spirit as a dove with radiating light and flames.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
26 Apr. 2026
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What emotion is radiating from the walls?—
Avery Newmark,
AJC.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In one version of the game, guests took turns squatting to grab a paper bag or box with their teeth.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
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To avoid straining, and therefore hemorrhoids, people can prop their feet up on stools or even stacks of old magazines to create more of a squatting position than sitting on toilets typically creates, Qureshi said.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sprawling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawling. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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