1
as in to extend
to extend outwards from or as if from a central point
The suburbs sprawl for miles beyond the city's downtown.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stretch (out)
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of sprawl
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday his administration's preferred concept for the Golden Dome missile defense program — a sprawling $175 billion initiative that would mark the first time the United States deploys weapons in space.
—
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
At Lingering Memories Antiques and Collectibles, vintage and antique dealers peddle their goods in a sprawling 12,500 square foot store.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 20 May 2025
The Sky forward was sent sprawling to the floor after Clark swiped down on her arm and pushed her in the back.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Or, sprawl out with a book on this two-piece outdoor daybed (which can separate into a chair and ottoman) for over $50 off.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
At Lingering Memories Antiques and Collectibles, vintage and antique dealers peddle their goods in a sprawling 12,500 square foot store.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 20 May 2025
The Sky forward was sent sprawling to the floor after Clark swiped down on her arm and pushed her in the back.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Or, sprawl out with a book on this two-piece outdoor daybed (which can separate into a chair and ottoman) for over $50 off.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawl
Verb
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Getting that confirmation extends Joel and Ellie’s conversation from a roughly four-and-a-half-minute cutscene to almost an eight-minute scene in the HBO series.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
20 May 2025
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Often complete with a heel that signified status, the riding-style leather boots could be extended fully, reaching the upper thighs, or folded down into cuffs.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Polling shows that Americans generally oppose the idea of reparations, though views diverge among racial groups.—
Laurel Rosenhall,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
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Is this a valuation issue where the price and the fundamentals are diverging?—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
15 May 2025
Verb
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In one photo shared by professional boxer and MMA fighter Jose Andres Cortes, Swift and Kelce could be seen sitting side by side in a booth at the restaurant.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
26 May 2025
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Toth spent hours removing that woman’s stitches and staples while sitting on a milk crate in a public park.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Its first outpost opened in Jackson Hole in 2017, but the brand just expanded to Sedona, Arizona, to debut its second location.—
Annie Archer,
Travel + Leisure,
27 May 2025
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Dowling’s donation comes as Northwell, New York’s largest health care provider, is actively lobbying the city government on a plan to expand its Lenox Hill Hospital complex on the Upper East Side, filings show.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
27 May 2025
Verb
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The company’s attempt at an autonomous vehicle also flopped.—
Shannon Carroll,
Quartz,
29 May 2025
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The musical famously flopped upon its 1988 Broadway debut, closing after just 68 performances.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Divided Society Finally, the uneven distribution of access to and benefits from humanoid technology could divide society even further.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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These changes, called genetic mutations, cause bone marrow cells to grow and divide too quickly.11 Experts don’t fully understand why these genetic mutations happen.—
Health,
Health,
24 May 2025
Verb
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On the other hand, any fleeting gesture of affection or vulnerability — like Chandan standing in Shoaib’s path during an Islamophobic assault — makes love practically radiate through the screen.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
21 May 2025
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On the mound, Shem Tov smiled and blew kisses to the crowd, radiating warmth and kindness.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
20 May 2025
Verb
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He could also be seen climbing and lounging in trees placed inside his room.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
21 May 2025
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The group exchanged stories and lounged until 3 a.m. Jordan Collins bought a ticket for storytelling at Jai after hearing about it on Inm’s social media.—
Lina Abascal,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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