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
Other portions of the Judiciary Committee’s bill were rolled into the legislature’s sprawling budget bill, which passed both chambers earlier this week.
—
Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025
From small picnic areas and playgrounds to sprawling urban parks designed to feel like the bucolic countryside, American cities began providing West cure benefits without the steep price tag or the need to travel.
—Time, 3 June 2025
In the race to be New York City’s next mayor, few issues have generated proposals as ambitious and sprawling as the housing crisis, a top concern for a growing number of voters.
—Mihir Zaveri, New York Times, 1 June 2025
Look for healthy stems and trunks that grow upright rather than sprawling.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025
From small picnic areas and playgrounds to sprawling urban parks designed to feel like the bucolic countryside, American cities began providing West cure benefits without the steep price tag or the need to travel.
—Time, 3 June 2025
In the race to be New York City’s next mayor, few issues have generated proposals as ambitious and sprawling as the housing crisis, a top concern for a growing number of voters.
—Mihir Zaveri, New York Times, 1 June 2025
Look for healthy stems and trunks that grow upright rather than sprawling.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawl
Verb
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Bell Media, meanwhile, initially sought damages but settled the legal dispute in October after extending its partnership with Warner on HBO and HBO Max content for multiple years.—
Amber Dowling,
Variety,
13 June 2025
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Two of the stools have legs that extend over the round seat, while the other two have legs that attach underneath the stool.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
People.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
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For my generation, Gen Z, reaching such a milestone is hard to fathom, in large part because of the diverging politics of young men and women.—
Caroline Downey,
National Review,
12 June 2025
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The spread between inventory costs and inventory levels is the highest its been since the pandemic The metrics typically track together but diverged in the first months of 2025 as importers rushed to get goods into the U.S. ahead of tariffs.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Once owned by Mickey Drexler, the 26-acre horse farm sits on a sandy road a stone’s throw from Peter Beard’s house and the Roosevelt estate.—
Alessandra Schade,
Vogue,
7 June 2025
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Additional highlights included a carousel ride with the siblings sitting together, roller coasters and walks throughout the park, which is currently celebrating its 70th anniversary.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Abu Shabab’s social media presence, along with slick videos and fluent English commentary, has expanded.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
8 June 2025
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Stablecoins are often treated as satellites of U.S. monetary policy—dollar proxies that expand liquidity and shore up Treasury demand.—
Jemma Green,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Dorsey stopped it, but 20 feet from the boat the fish jumped again, flopped back with a loud splash, and zoomed upstream.—
Arthur Grahame,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2025
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Foster flopped in his first chance to be the starting point guard, and Cayden Boozer would be the backup plan.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Model parallelism divides the neural network itself across hardware.—
Jitender Jain,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Fallout from President Trump’s break with Elon Musk is roiling a Republican Party that was already divided over the fate of the president’s landmark legislation.—
Michael Wilner,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The primary suite radiates a somber sort of opulence.—
Daniel Cote,
Robb Report,
4 June 2025
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That attitude radiated through each look on the runway, where every model felt like a character in an Autty Simone dreamworld.—
Karissa Mitchell,
Essence,
2 June 2025
Verb
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There are two types of people in the summer: those who like to lounge at the beach, and others who want to get their hair wet and feet sandy, taking a dip in the ocean.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
13 June 2025
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The playful pup seems full of energy but is also happy to lounge around with his new owner.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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