1
as in extends
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 sits
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 sprawls
Stripped back to just Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson, the drone-metal titans explore the minutiae of microtonal vibrations on an album that sprawls like land art.
—
Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 4 Apr. 2026
The spa itself sprawls 64,000 square feet and has a cluster of treatment pavilions, fitness centers, and outdoor pools where hydrotherapy sessions are performed (my partner turned to jelly after a particularly effective water shiatsu session).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
According to the European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS), at least 99 people have died since October 2025, mostly in the Alps — the mountain range that serves as the continent’s skiing hub and sprawls across several countries including France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
The metro sprawls across two states and multiple counties, each running its own assessment playbook.
—Allison Palmer
updated February 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
Evergreen sprawls like old Bisbee, improvised.
—Masha Hamilton, Longreads, 19 Feb. 2026
Seating sprawls out openly from the bar and music is kept low, all efforts to encourage conversation and communion among neighbors and guests.
—Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
There are five bedrooms in all, one on the garden level that is well-suited to guests or staff, while the primary suite sprawls over an entire floor with a sitting room, two dressing rooms, and a private terrace.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
The covered outdoor seating sprawls across multiple patios and bars, and there’s even some tables on the docks themselves.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 4 Apr. 2026
The spa itself sprawls 64,000 square feet and has a cluster of treatment pavilions, fitness centers, and outdoor pools where hydrotherapy sessions are performed (my partner turned to jelly after a particularly effective water shiatsu session).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
According to the European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS), at least 99 people have died since October 2025, mostly in the Alps — the mountain range that serves as the continent’s skiing hub and sprawls across several countries including France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
The metro sprawls across two states and multiple counties, each running its own assessment playbook.
—Allison Palmer
updated February 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
Evergreen sprawls like old Bisbee, improvised.
—Masha Hamilton, Longreads, 19 Feb. 2026
Seating sprawls out openly from the bar and music is kept low, all efforts to encourage conversation and communion among neighbors and guests.
—Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
There are five bedrooms in all, one on the garden level that is well-suited to guests or staff, while the primary suite sprawls over an entire floor with a sitting room, two dressing rooms, and a private terrace.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
The covered outdoor seating sprawls across multiple patios and bars, and there’s even some tables on the docks themselves.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawls
Verb
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The area is bounded by the Interstate 485/Providence Road interchange and extends south to the South Carolina state line.—
Chase Jordan
April 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Our work extends beyond the local level.—
Igor Alterman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This site, at Tala'at Ad-Dam, sits along an ancient pilgrimage route to Jerusalem, one Jesus' parents were said to have walked.—
Seth Doane,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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Hiking, mountain biking, and trail rides are options for all ages at this property that sits within the Rincon Mountains and adjacent to Saguaro National Park and Coronado National Forest.—
Julie Bielenberg,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Ciddi argued Turkey's current trajectory increasingly diverges from alliance priorities.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Where the story diverges is the way New Edition combined hip-hop, R&B, and old-school doo-wop to create new jack swing.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The case for more medical freedom rests on laudable principles.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Also, Goldman’s framework rests not on a direct count of jobs lost to AI and jobs created by AI in real time, but on inferences derived from a regression analysis.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That said, Condor's bubbliness radiates through the screen.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The 6-foot-5, blue-eyed Cipriani — an under-the-radar figure around the entertainment industry who’s now at the center of one of its biggest stories — radiates main character energy.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The bones of a diverging diamond intersection have been laid at the site, which straddles the border between Kansas City and Lee’s Summit, cutting along View High Drive.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
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Orientale straddles the line between the near and far sides of the moon, showing how the Artemis II astronauts are already getting a look at normally unseen features.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Fortunately for shareholders, the stock grants come with a feature similar to equity options that somewhat reduces Musk’s payday, especially in a case like the one above where the plan flops.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
29 Nov. 2025
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Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The effortlessly cool shape sits low on the hips, with a shorter inseam that slouches through a subtle, flattering drape.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Footwear News,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sprawls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawls. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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