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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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.
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 sprawls
Inside each camp, sprawls of rickety structures covered with olive-green military tarps housed anywhere from 500 to 3,000 people.
—
Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
Its story sprawls more, and its villains are exclusively Brazilians acting against their fellow Brazilians.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
The primary suite sprawls over the entire third floor with a fireplace in the bedroom; two bathrooms outfitted in marble and wood; and a two-room closet and dressing area.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
The desert sprawls into the Mexican state of Sonora and on distant peaks, the sheriff’s deputies say, cartel scouts sit with binoculars watching their every move.
—Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
His senior Great Dane, Monroe, sprawls out on the floor between the music and the old pulpit.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
The honor went to Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that sprawls north of Huesca, Spain.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
Up a winding staircase (or the home’s elevator), the primary suite sprawls out over the entire upper floor, boasting dual offices, bathrooms, and walk-in closets, plus a fireplace and a private deck.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 19 Sep. 2025
Suites expand into living areas, while the Presidential Suite sprawls across a footprint only a Soviet office block could provide.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
Its story sprawls more, and its villains are exclusively Brazilians acting against their fellow Brazilians.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
The primary suite sprawls over the entire third floor with a fireplace in the bedroom; two bathrooms outfitted in marble and wood; and a two-room closet and dressing area.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
The desert sprawls into the Mexican state of Sonora and on distant peaks, the sheriff’s deputies say, cartel scouts sit with binoculars watching their every move.
—Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
His senior Great Dane, Monroe, sprawls out on the floor between the music and the old pulpit.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
The honor went to Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that sprawls north of Huesca, Spain.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
Up a winding staircase (or the home’s elevator), the primary suite sprawls out over the entire upper floor, boasting dual offices, bathrooms, and walk-in closets, plus a fireplace and a private deck.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 19 Sep. 2025
Suites expand into living areas, while the Presidential Suite sprawls across a footprint only a Soviet office block could provide.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawls
Verb
-
Though funding for aid programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has been approved for October, said Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, the program may be in trouble if the shutdown extends beyond that month.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
-
From there, Hawes extends his arms and drives the defensive end out of contention for making the play.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Personality and purpose Upon entering the home, the first room one notices is Catherine's spacious office, which sits just to the left of the front door.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Set plants such that the root collar (where branches meet the root system) sits slightly above the surrounding soil level.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Powell’s cautious stance diverges from that of several colleagues on the Fed’s rate-setting committee.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The company says its results are based on strict benchmarking and a unique system design that diverges from much of the industry.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the second photo, Gomez rests her left hand on her new husband's, her marquise diamond engagement ring glinting in the light.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Total enrollment for the district rests at 2,294 according to state data from the 2024-25 school year.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The series radiates warmth, celebrates flawed but generally well-meaning people—particularly men—coming together to learn how to show themselves and those around them the love everyone deserves.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The look radiates warmth and softness.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Death Valley National Park straddles the California–Nevada border.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The man straddles your dad and brings his legs around his torso.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At one point, Alex comes over to recheck his map and, seeing Rizo attempt to analyze his work, flops over on the puzzle, causing Rizo to pause.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share