as in to spread
to cause to move outward and apart
He sat with his legs splayed apart. She splayed her fingers to show off her manicure.
Related Words
Relevance
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 splay
But this series is now tied 2-2 after the Hurricanes regained their composure to score the final two goals — the go-ahead one by Jordan Staal as he was splayed out onto his stomach — and win 5-3.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
Week after week, his digits splayed across his helmet in anguish after passes ticked off his hands and into the grass.
—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
Screens are splayed across the bar’s three viewing areas, each with independent audio to prevent commentary overlap, and the rooftop beer garden boasts a 135-inch screen for marquee matches.
—
Charles Usher,
Midwest Living,
9 June 2026
In one, a baby lies splayed on the pavement after falling from his ride; in another, a baby in blue jeans pulls the cover off a comparatively massive white motorcycle parked on a curb.
—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for splay
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
Week after week, his digits splayed across his helmet in anguish after passes ticked off his hands and into the grass.
—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
Screens are splayed across the bar’s three viewing areas, each with independent audio to prevent commentary overlap, and the rooftop beer garden boasts a 135-inch screen for marquee matches.
—
Charles Usher,
Midwest Living,
9 June 2026
In one, a baby lies splayed on the pavement after falling from his ride; in another, a baby in blue jeans pulls the cover off a comparatively massive white motorcycle parked on a curb.
—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for splay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for splay
Verb
-
Flames raced through rows of vehicles at a Rancho Cordova salvage yard Friday evening, engulfing between 50 and 100 vehicles before more than 70 firefighters contained the blaze and kept it from spreading to neighboring businesses.
-
If using grounds, apply in 1 to 2-inch deep layers and make sure the coffee is spread in an unbroken line so slugs and snails won’t cross it.
Verb
-
The result is uncommon room layouts like the tri-suite king room equipped with two twin-sized beds and a king bed split by a privacy divider that doubles as a playful art installation.
-
Cutright, who was not charged with murder, split from Devastating Pyrotechnics to form Blackstar Fireworks on the property in 2023.
Cite this Entry
“Splay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splay. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
