as in spreads
to cause to move outward and apart
He sat with his legs splayed apart. She splayed her fingers to show off her manicure.
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Recent Examples of splays
Rogen splays himself, theatrically broken, on the floor.
—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
26 June 2026
Across the boat, a young guy with thin lips and a sweater tied around his shoulders leans back and splays his legs.
—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
The Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale splays out in full shade from the condo buildings and strips of golden sun.
—
Eric Barton,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
The sneakers feature Altra’s signature FootShape design, which splays at the front to give your toes ample space for natural movement.
—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Nov. 2025
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
26 June 2026
Across the boat, a young guy with thin lips and a sweater tied around his shoulders leans back and splays his legs.
—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
The Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale splays out in full shade from the condo buildings and strips of golden sun.
—
Eric Barton,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
The sneakers feature Altra’s signature FootShape design, which splays at the front to give your toes ample space for natural movement.
—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for splays
Verb
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The virus spreads through the saliva or nervous system tissue of infected mammals, usually through bites.
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Those worries make sense, and understanding how bird flu spreads and what to watch for is the best way to protect your flock and yourself.
Verb
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Flex is designed for the professional who splits time between the kitchen table, a coffee shop, and a hot desk.
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Just off the Little River, in the woodsy historic Sherwood Forest neighborhood, Northeast 85th Street splits in two around the mound, marked by a pair of signs.
Cite this Entry
“Splays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/splays. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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