1
as in extended
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 sat
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
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Recent Examples of sprawled
Masked guards stood outside entry gates to the processing complex, which sprawled across several blocks in an industrial port area.
—
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Fatu was last seen holding the World Heavyweight Championship over Reigns, who was sprawled out on the mat.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
One viral Instagram clip posted by Pier 39 showed the sea lion sprawled across a dock while tourists gathered nearby to watch.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Not long into their humiliation of the Hawks, Jalen Brunson sprawled out for a loose ball.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Over more than a year, the conflict sprawled into a series of lawsuits, countersuits and public claims that drew intense attention in Hollywood and touched on broader questions about workplace conduct and retaliation in the post-#MeToo era.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
The photo sees the German-South African model wearing a pink gingham top that matches the tablecloth sprawled out beneath an array of foods — and a live chicken — in front of her.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Some third graders focused on drawing pictures as several students sprawled across a rug at the front of the classroom.
—Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Apr. 2026
Against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, James sprawled across the floor for a loose ball and forced a tie-up that eventually helped lead to the Lakers tying the game in regulation before winning in overtime.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Fatu was last seen holding the World Heavyweight Championship over Reigns, who was sprawled out on the mat.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
One viral Instagram clip posted by Pier 39 showed the sea lion sprawled across a dock while tourists gathered nearby to watch.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Not long into their humiliation of the Hawks, Jalen Brunson sprawled out for a loose ball.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Over more than a year, the conflict sprawled into a series of lawsuits, countersuits and public claims that drew intense attention in Hollywood and touched on broader questions about workplace conduct and retaliation in the post-#MeToo era.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
The photo sees the German-South African model wearing a pink gingham top that matches the tablecloth sprawled out beneath an array of foods — and a live chicken — in front of her.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Some third graders focused on drawing pictures as several students sprawled across a rug at the front of the classroom.
—Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Apr. 2026
Against the Denver Nuggets on March 14, James sprawled across the floor for a loose ball and forced a tie-up that eventually helped lead to the Lakers tying the game in regulation before winning in overtime.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawled
Verb
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The disparities also extended to preventable deaths before age 75, including deaths tied to drug overdoses, car crashes and treatable illnesses.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
-
While it’s suggested early on that Phil has a temper on the ice, flashbacks show viewers that his anger and violence extended to his family as well.—
Katie Mannion,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Levi Jones, a 33-year-old business owner, pulled up to Sacred Eye Tattoos in Hollywood last week and sat for eight hours getting a photorealistic black-and-white portrait of Mangione on his leg.—
Amanda Rosa,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
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The birthday boy and his big sister Sterling Skye, 3, each sat between one of their parents’ laps.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
However, the economic and educational trajectories of men and women have increasingly diverged, with a large swath of men falling behind.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
19 May 2026
-
On her wedding day, Jarman diverged from the classic white wedding dress, instead opting for a baby blue gown with a bohemian flair.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
19 May 2026
Verb
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That flopped, as have all subsequent attempts to protect nature permanently and on a large scale through the use of markets.—
John Reid,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
-
Rick Pitino, Billy Donovan, Brad Stevens, Fred Hoiberg, John Calipari, Tim Floyd, Lon Kruger, Mike Montgomery, Leonard Hamilton all left college to try the NBA, and most flopped.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Matching the anything-goes vibe that flows through the resort, the breezy restaurant pavilion is merely a suggestion—ordering lunch or dinner to your private terrace, a candlelit table on the beach, or one of the dozen-or-so secret seating nooks scattered around the property is actively encouraged.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
-
Local officials called the incident the worst single diving accident in the history of the Maldives, a nation of 1,192 tiny coral islands scattered some 500 miles across the equator in the Indian Ocean.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The fluffy black dog lounged on a dog bed near the couch in Landowski’s living room during an interview with the Star-Telegram.—
Tanya Babbar,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 May 2026
-
While posing for a photo in 1955, Monroe lounged on a carpet in a red brocade gown and black leather gloves.—
Ariana Quihuiz,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Pain that radiated from your wrist into your thumb or forearm.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
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While fellow first-round pick Malachi Lawrence will mostly be contained to an outside linebacker role, the versatility theme radiated into day two when the Cowboys took Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham in the third round over a group of other talented defenders.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Her wedge of baked Alaska slouched on the plate like a children’s book illustration meant to convey sadness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Silk pajama pants slouched over Wales Bonner loafers.—
Tyler Matthew Oyer
Feb. 27,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sprawled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawled. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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