urban sprawl
noun
: the spreading of urban developments (such as houses and shopping centers) on undeveloped land near a city
Examples of urban sprawl in a Sentence
efforts to stop urban sprawl
Recent Examples on the Web
The blazes that began in the hilltop communities surrounding Los Angeles are part of a growing trend of increasingly destructive wildfires fueled by climate change, urban sprawl and inadequate resources for firefighting.
—
John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
The endangered Florida panther faces the dual threats of urban sprawl and increased traffic
In 2024, 36 panther deaths were recorded by state wildlife officials, which was the most since 2016.
—Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
Like many cities, the fringes of Sydney’s urban sprawl are made up of working-class families, newly arrived immigrants and those pushed out further and further from downtown by rising housing prices.
—Victoria Kim, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Local Vibe: Salt Lake has grown into a sophisticated urban sprawl with a vibrant downtown, thriving art scene, and bustling nightlife with street vendors and musicians.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for urban sprawl
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John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
The endangered Florida panther faces the dual threats of urban sprawl and increased traffic
In 2024, 36 panther deaths were recorded by state wildlife officials, which was the most since 2016.
—Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
Like many cities, the fringes of Sydney’s urban sprawl are made up of working-class families, newly arrived immigrants and those pushed out further and further from downtown by rising housing prices.
—Victoria Kim, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Local Vibe: Salt Lake has grown into a sophisticated urban sprawl with a vibrant downtown, thriving art scene, and bustling nightlife with street vendors and musicians.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for urban sprawl
Cite this Entry
“Urban sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urban%20sprawl. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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