as in expansion
a wide space or area
the great explorers who crossed the vast expanses of the seven seas in small ships
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of expanse
Looking out at an endless expanse of ocean blue while the foaming tide rolls in is enough to put anyone in a vacation state of mind.
—
Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 June 2026
In a popular analogy, the fabric of space-time is like the flat expanse of a mattress, and a massive object like a star is like a bowling ball sitting on top.
—Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2026
Renderings of the ballroom that Trump hopes will replace the East Wing show a cavernous, golden, faux-historical expanse that dwarfs the genuine historical structures around it.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
Ali sits directly opposite the chair for Rue and, for a fleeting moment, sees her, with the picture window behind her showing a vast expanse of land and sky — a vista of the strange nation that gave her life, and took it from her.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for expanse
Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 June 2026
In a popular analogy, the fabric of space-time is like the flat expanse of a mattress, and a massive object like a star is like a bowling ball sitting on top.
—Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2026
Renderings of the ballroom that Trump hopes will replace the East Wing show a cavernous, golden, faux-historical expanse that dwarfs the genuine historical structures around it.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 3 June 2026
Ali sits directly opposite the chair for Rue and, for a fleeting moment, sees her, with the picture window behind her showing a vast expanse of land and sky — a vista of the strange nation that gave her life, and took it from her.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for expanse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expanse
Noun
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Sports features prominently across day one, with JioStar sports and live experiences CEO Ishan Chatterjee examining sport as a platform for fandom, AI and commerce, followed by ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta on cricket’s global expansion and La Liga president Javier Tebas on fan engagement and enforcement.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 June 2026
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When announcing its Ohio manufacturing expansion, Joby explicitly invoked the Wright brothers' legacy in Dayton.—
Randy Tucker,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Noun
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The grueling stretch will likely make or break the team’s outlook for the rest of the season.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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The sometimes Star Island resident began his stretch at the low‑security federal prison three months later, set to be freed May 8, 2028.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
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Cycle length varies, ovulation doesn’t always land on day 14, and conditions like PCOS, thyroid disorders and perimenopause can shift the pattern significantly.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expanse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expanse. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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