1
as in extends
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 sits
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sprawls
The covered outdoor seating sprawls across multiple patios and bars, and there’s even some tables on the docks themselves.
—
Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The neighborhood sprawls for many blocks, a world apart from the skyscrapers of downtown.
—John Bowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
The property sprawls over almost 100,000 square metres, including six apartment buildings, private mansions, a beach club and the world’s first Bulgari Marina and Yacht Club.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026
Kansas City sprawls between two states and what seems like countless municipalities.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The larger galaxy, NGC 4490, sprawls across the frame in a tangle of dust and newborn stars, dominating the left side of the image.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 4 Dec. 2025
The seven-room spread sprawls over the 19th floor of an elegant Art Deco apartment house across from Riverside Park that was designed in 1938 by esteemed architect Emery Roth.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2025
The land sprawls through Pima, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties.
—Alexandra Hardle, AZCentral.com, 23 Nov. 2025
The second-term congressman, who represents a district that sprawls from the Sacramento suburbs, across the state and down to Death Valley, was easily re-elected in 2024.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 20 Nov. 2025
Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The neighborhood sprawls for many blocks, a world apart from the skyscrapers of downtown.
—John Bowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
The property sprawls over almost 100,000 square metres, including six apartment buildings, private mansions, a beach club and the world’s first Bulgari Marina and Yacht Club.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026
Kansas City sprawls between two states and what seems like countless municipalities.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The larger galaxy, NGC 4490, sprawls across the frame in a tangle of dust and newborn stars, dominating the left side of the image.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 4 Dec. 2025
The seven-room spread sprawls over the 19th floor of an elegant Art Deco apartment house across from Riverside Park that was designed in 1938 by esteemed architect Emery Roth.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2025
The land sprawls through Pima, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties.
—Alexandra Hardle, AZCentral.com, 23 Nov. 2025
The second-term congressman, who represents a district that sprawls from the Sacramento suburbs, across the state and down to Death Valley, was easily re-elected in 2024.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 20 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawls
Verb
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An exceptional culinary experience likewise extends to the beauty of the cutlery, crystal, and fine china set the meal is served with, ideally in a space likewise suited to the elegance of such a tablescape.—
Laurie Brookins,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 2026
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Positioned as the brand’s first solvent-free shoe, the style extends Keen’s long-running Detox the Planet program into a fully modular build.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Patton said the treaty sits below Australia's alliance with the United States and its security agreement with Papua New Guinea, and is unlikely to clarify whether Indonesia would come to Australia's defense in the event of a regional conflict.—
NINIEK KARMINI,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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Robinson, nicknamed The Admiral for his stint in the Navy, often sits courtside at games and has spoken with Castle at the practice facility in the past.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Statues and nameplates reveal better than anything else how much his idea of power diverges from the traditional institution of the American presidency.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
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Brendan Brady, Tierney’s producing partner through their Accent Aigu Entertainment banner, notes that the Canadian TV model diverges from the American one, in that the producer retains ownership of the IP while collecting a licensing fee from the broadcaster.—
Max Gao,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mike understands that energy is the foundation on which everything else rests, from process uptime to jobs and regional stability.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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In the end, no bicameral or parallel governing structure emerged, and power now rests solely with the prime minister and the cabinet, a fact Saint-Cyr acknowledged in his speech.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The lobby radiates the personality, warmth, and candor of a Swiss bank.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
There are no frills or fancy touches, but a sense of familiarity and open-mindedness radiates throughout.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The 210-acre land mass mostly surrounds the future Costco, which is expected to open in the latter half of the year, and straddles the southern edge of City of Oconomowoc and the Village of Summit.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
9 Feb. 2026
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Its members include storyboard artists, character designers, animators, animation writers, and more people whose work straddles visual art and technology.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Fortunately for shareholders, the stock grants come with a feature similar to equity options that somewhat reduces Musk’s payday, especially in a case like the one above where the plan flops.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
29 Nov. 2025
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Amina blows her mom a kiss and then flops down in her crib, pretending to be asleep.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The effortlessly cool shape sits low on the hips, with a shorter inseam that slouches through a subtle, flattering drape.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Footwear News,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sprawls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawls. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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