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
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
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
The neighborhood sprawls for many blocks, a world apart from the skyscrapers of downtown.
—John Bowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
The property sprawls over almost 100,000 square metres, including six apartment buildings, private mansions, a beach club and the world’s first Bulgari Marina and Yacht Club.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026
Kansas City sprawls between two states and what seems like countless municipalities.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 9 Jan. 2026
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
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
The neighborhood sprawls for many blocks, a world apart from the skyscrapers of downtown.
—John Bowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
The property sprawls over almost 100,000 square metres, including six apartment buildings, private mansions, a beach club and the world’s first Bulgari Marina and Yacht Club.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026
Kansas City sprawls between two states and what seems like countless municipalities.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawls
Verb
-
The Ohtani-Decoy mural gives it a draw that extends well beyond the usual dog-park crowd, pulling in Dodgers fans and anyone curious about the growing Decoy phenomenon that has built steadily over the past three years.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The elevated risk stretches from West Texas into North Texas, then extends east and south toward Houston.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Fontaine sits adjacent to the main stretches and perfectly mirrors that Old World look with a dose of modern shine.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Nationally, the percentage of fourth graders considered proficient in reading sits just above 30%, according to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the nation's report card.—
MAKIYA SEMINERA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kottikollon’s approach diverges sharply from Silicon Valley’s model, often defined by prescription-heavy biohacking and evangelized by the likes of Bryan Johnson.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
14 Feb. 2026
-
However the new break-up plan diverges from an earlier promise where Ramaphosa said Eskom would be split into three standalone units, sparking uncertainty among some investors, noted South African newspaper Business Day.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This authority rests on stronger constitutional grounds.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
-
So its ascendance rests largely on the importance of data centers as critical infrastructure in the age of artificial intelligence.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Olive Nwosu's debut feature radiates a restless, pulsing energy — both through the thrum of Lagos and the courage of its women.—
Teresa Xie,
NPR,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The bright and sweet Buckaroo radiates sincerity.—
David Glickman,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Heavenly straddles the California-Nevada border on the south side of Lake Tahoe, near South Lake Tahoe and Stateline, Nevada.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Part of the intrigue comes from the way gold straddles two worlds.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 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 2 Mar. 2026.
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