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.
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sprawl
To be sure, the conglomerate has a sprawling portfolio of businesses, which helps diversify its revenue streams.
—
Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
Situated across from Venice Beach (and, coincidentally, right next door to the actor’s ex, Samantha Ronson), the 3,100-square-foot residence boasted sprawling views of the water, downtown LA, and the Santa Monica Mountains from its enviable roof deck.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 29 Aug. 2025
The sprawling parking lots around the main entrance typically fill up quickly in the summer and on weekends for the 80-acre zoo, which drew 1.6 million people last year.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2025
My father’s new house was a sprawling split-level with four bedrooms, a game room, a library, and changing rooms by the pool.
—Richard Siken
august 26, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
Situated across from Venice Beach (and, coincidentally, right next door to the actor’s ex, Samantha Ronson), the 3,100-square-foot residence boasted sprawling views of the water, downtown LA, and the Santa Monica Mountains from its enviable roof deck.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 29 Aug. 2025
The sprawling parking lots around the main entrance typically fill up quickly in the summer and on weekends for the 80-acre zoo, which drew 1.6 million people last year.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2025
My father’s new house was a sprawling split-level with four bedrooms, a game room, a library, and changing rooms by the pool.
—Richard Siken
august 26, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawl
Verb
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The New Start Treaty remains the only bilateral nuclear arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia, and though it was extended in 2021, it is set to expire in February 2026.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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Evacuation orders and warnings were in place for both Deschutes and Jefferson counties, and were extended to just outside Sisters and along Highway 126 on Aug. 24.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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About 600,000 years ago, modern humans genetically diverged from the lineage that produced Neanderthals and Denisovans — our closest cousins in the family tree of human species.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
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For the first time in three decades, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued vaccine recommendations that significantly diverge from those by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Also read: Skip Bayless Breaks Silence on Dallas Cowboys' Blockbuster Trade Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys sits on the sidelines in the first half of a NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Inglewood,...—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
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The Autograph Collection property sits a short walk or bike ride from Sonoma Plaza, surrounded by tasting rooms, restaurants, and shops that make this corner of wine country buzz.—
Keyla Vasconcellos,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Analyst’s Take Broadcom's VMware strategy prioritizes monetizing the existing customer base over expanding it.—
Steve McDowell,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Originally introduced in 2016, this sporty model has already been released in a handful of different configurations, but VC decided there was room to expand.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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One more common mistake: Fertilizing your lavender, which can result in overly leggy lavender that flops over.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
21 Aug. 2025
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Fisher flopped at Texas A&M and walked away with the largest buyout in college football history — $77.5 million — without ever even reaching the College Football Playoff while in College Station.—
Chase Goodbread,
The Tennessean,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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On the outside, Jin Yul radiates a chic and reserved energy.—
Sara Smith,
Variety,
27 Aug. 2025
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Lady Gaga radiates rock star energy in black sunglasses and a red lip while out at dinner in New York City on Aug. 21.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Manicured gardens and a dreamy courtyard across 10 acres make the perfect backdrop for croquet and lounging by the estate pool, while rooms feature Juliette balconies, terraces, bold wallpapers, and heirloom furniture.—
Amanda Ogle,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Aug. 2025
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In other images from the set, Kidman posed alongside her sister, natural curls still intact and lounged on a bench wearing a blue and white striped button-down top and white pants, with her natural curls hanging off the side of the bench.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The scaling hypothesis—the belief that bigger models will produce more intelligent outputs—seems to rest on the dubious belief that a system that has been fed enough information about the world will not have to deal with fuzziness.—
Meghan O’Gieblyn,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
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When your morning brew is too hot, your chapter gets interrupted, or the remote needs a home, the best end tables ensure that there’s a nearby place to rest whatever may be filling your hands.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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