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.
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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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The Iranian regime spent decades building the Axis of Resistance, a coalition of anti-Western militias that extended Tehran’s influence deep into the Arab world.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 2025
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There’s no shortage of electrified cargo bikes on the market these days, but one trend that is definitely on the rise is the addition of a second (or even third) battery to extend the range of these quiet, clean urban haulers.—
William Roberson,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Shanghai, Shenzhen, and the STAR Board diverged to close -0.80%, -0.82%, and +0.26%, respectively, on volume down -8.9% from yesterday, which is 166% of the 1-year average.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
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Over evolutionary time the variant of ESR1 inside the supergene has diverged genetically from its counterpart on the standard chromosome.—
Donna L. Maney,
Scientific American,
18 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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Since then, the company has expanded to more than 20 locations across California, including a wholesale site.—
Marcus D. Smith,
Sacramento Bee,
20 Feb. 2025
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She’s since expanded into other jewelry and accessories categories and launched lifestyle items like laptop cases, luggage tags and keychains.—
Layla Ilchi,
WWD,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Related Articles Big Oakland hotel flops into loan default as local lodging woes widen Iconic San Jose hotel open as renovations get underway Berkeley losing money due to poor lease management practices, audit finds Decades later, the mountain remains vulnerable to development pressures.—
Ryan Macasero,
The Mercury News,
13 Feb. 2025
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If Hicks flops in the spring and is offered back to the Tigers — and if Ramirez begins the season at Triple A — then the Marlins will need to claim a veteran backup because Jhonny Pereda was traded to the Athletics last Friday.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Putin sees it as a way to divide the West, analysts say.—
Tracy Wilkinson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2025
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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
Verb
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And then found some cool enhancements — the eyes that could tell the story of a guy who’s also gamma radiated.—
Aaron Couch,
The Hollywood Reporter,
28 Feb. 2025
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Even so, as a performer Trachtenberg radiated more than just vulnerability.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In the first clip, Fischer, 25, is lounging in the front seat of the car, watching Love is Blind without a care in the world.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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Outside, hotel guests can lounge in two large outdoor pools or visit the a state-of-the-art fitness center with all latest and greatest equipment including Peloton bikes.—
Kate Donnelly,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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