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
The sprawling narrative spans three decades of post-war America, features a 15-minute intermission and excoriates the sinewy connections between creativity, exploitation and alienation.
—
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2025
The sprawling Black Beauty Ranch, in East Texas, takes its name from the classic 1877 novel.
—Conor Knighton, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2025
An environmental lawyer with no experience working in health administration or medicine, Kennedy will now oversee a sprawling network of agencies that provide health coverage to millions of Americans, regulate the food industry and respond to global health threats.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2025
Born in 1869 into a wealthy family, Hamilton grew up on a sprawling estate that covered three city blocks in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
—Daniel Stone, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sprawl 
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2025
The sprawling Black Beauty Ranch, in East Texas, takes its name from the classic 1877 novel.
—Conor Knighton, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2025
An environmental lawyer with no experience working in health administration or medicine, Kennedy will now oversee a sprawling network of agencies that provide health coverage to millions of Americans, regulate the food industry and respond to global health threats.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2025
Born in 1869 into a wealthy family, Hamilton grew up on a sprawling estate that covered three city blocks in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
—Daniel Stone, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sprawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawl
Verb
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But these townships extend beyond downtown and include more than just the office market.—
Fritz Kaegi,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
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This escalates the strategic fight between the two chambers over how to get the Trump tax cuts extended past this year — while also adding billions in spending on deportation infrastructure and the military.—
Stef W. Kight,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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This sweeping study examines the results of such shifts, which, the author argues, are what set countries on diverging developmental paths and produced a host of modern social ills.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) sought to capitalize on the diverging views in the GOP over how to handle costly measures like tax cuts and Medicaid.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Relli had spent several days testifying at the trial, including sitting for a contentious cross-examination by Tacopina.—
Jonathan Abrams,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
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The bigger screen sizes each sit on two flat, narrow feet that are dark gray metal.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Look, $100 million on initiatives like expanding atheism in Nepal.—
Linda Qiu,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
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Immigrant advocates have pushed to shore up those protections with a federal bill that would expand visa eligibility for workers cooperating with regulators to expose labor violations, so far without success.—
Emily Alpert Reyes,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Rangers don't have the best reputation for developing their prospects, but many of the young players that have flopped were homogenous assets that clogged up their organizational pipeline.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
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The Right Stuff Year: 1983 Running time: 3 hours 13 minutes Director: Philip Kaufman Years before Bonfire of the Vanities flopped, Hollywood had a much better time adapting Tom Wolfe, turning his nonfiction book about the Mercury program into a clear-eyed piece of Americana.—
Kevin Lincoln,
Vulture,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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President Trump and billionaire sidekick Elon Musk Tuesday accused the liberal media of trying to divide them to thwart their shared political agenda.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
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Putin sees it as a way to divide the West, analysts say.—
Tracy Wilkinson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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As Desiree, Cox radiates charisma, a quality that pairs perfectly with her dad Wallace, a teddy bear who fumbles with the right pronouns but has swelling love and pride for his daughter.—
Randy Myers,
The Mercury News,
14 Feb. 2025
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Elbow pain: With lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), pain and burning center on the elbow joint and can radiate to the forearm.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Rounding it all out are the private grounds, which host several alfresco spaces ideal for lounging and dining amid the enveloping flora and fauna.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
14 Feb. 2025
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Pillow Cat No surprise here—comfy Pillow Cat loves lounging around the bedroom.—
Alex Vance,
Parents,
13 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near sprawl
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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