sprawl

verb

Definition of sprawlnext
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.

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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.

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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 sprawl This insularity causes the same surnames to show up over and over in public records from Followers communities in Idaho, and, just as happened in the faith’s earlier generations, the sprawling Followers families tend to intermarry. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026 Despite more than 1 million people languishing in sprawling camps for almost a decade, as conditions deteriorate and aid shrinks, talk of repatriation is premature, according to analysts. — Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 The three-story home was built in 1830 and later extensively renovated in 2003, reportedly featuring 11 main bedrooms, a cut-stone Gothic Revival facade, 16,000 square feet of living space, and sprawling green lawns across its 440 acres. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 In Tehran’s sprawling Grand Bazaar, long a center of conservatism in Iranian politics and still an economic force within the country, there was a heavy police presence and some expressed frustration at the value of Iran’s currency, the rial. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawl
  1. extend
  2. sit
  3. diverge
  4. flop
  5. expand
  6. lounge
  7. radiate
  8. rest
Verb
  • The deal also extends the expiration date of non-refundable tax credits issued prior to 2025 by up to five years.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The potential benefits may also extend beyond a single workout for leaders who maintain a consistent exercise practice.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of extend
Verb
  • My two displays now sit inside a much larger local smart-home project.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The ensuing win stanched the wounds, as names like Mark Cuban and Cooper Flagg sat among the second-largest crowd ever to watch a Wings home game.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sit
Verb
  • The chipmaker could diverge against its recent pattern of seeing shares slide following earnings reports.
    — Justina Lee,Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Under Kennedy, vaccine skeptics have been elevated to prominent positions and public-health agencies have suppressed the publication of scientific reports that diverge from his preferred narrative.
    — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of diverge
Verb
  • Nurses are fainting on the wards, children are flopping onto their desks at school.
    — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Of course, drug development is high risk, with the potential for big returns counterbalanced by the products and companies that flop.
    — Avalon Pernell, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of flop
Verb
  • Japan’s Inpex, for example, formed a joint venture to expand its LNG investment in Australia’s Northern Territory.
    — Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • While most of its stores are in mainland China, the company had 4,378 stores overseas as of end-June and has been expanding into new markets, including central Asia and the Americas.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • There’s an outdoor kids club with a schedule of activities and a babysitting service, but most youngsters looked happy enough playing on the sand while parents lounged nearby or got involved in the digging.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Most recently, Céline Dion, Lucy Hale, and Sofia Richie Grainge were spotted in matching ensembles for outdoor activities, casual outings, and lounging at home.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of lounge
Verb
  • Feliciano and Jones radiated energy and exuberance throughout their first press conference as the principal owners of the Padres.
    — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Happy Hours star radiated in a strapless deep purple silk dress with a distressed scoop neckline and asymmetrical draping on her left hip, creating a ruched effect that cascaded down to the ankle-length hemline.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of radiate
Verb
  • Clancy’s mom had her arm resting on the back of the seat at times.
    — Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
  • From here, the choice is yours to sit, rest and enjoy the moon rise.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of rest

Browse Nearby Words

sprats
sprawl
sprawled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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