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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Recent Examples of sprawls
If your budget stretches to it, the 6,700-square-foot Royal Suite sprawls across the entire top floor of the building closest to the sea, with endless ocean views and multiple terraces featuring an outdoor pool and a jacuzzi.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
The city of Los Angeles sprawls across roughly 500 square miles, creating logistical hurdles if nothing else for a candidate seeking citywide office from a remote location, noted Democratic political consultant Mike Trujillo.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The main home’s primary suite sprawls across two levels, with room for a private office, gym, or library.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2026
Stripped back to just Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson, the drone-metal titans explore the minutiae of microtonal vibrations on an album that sprawls like land art.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 4 Apr. 2026
According to the European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS), at least 99 people have died since October 2025, mostly in the Alps — the mountain range that serves as the continent’s skiing hub and sprawls across several countries including France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
The metro sprawls across two states and multiple counties, each running its own assessment playbook.
—Allison Palmer
updated February 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
Evergreen sprawls like old Bisbee, improvised.
—Masha Hamilton, Longreads, 19 Feb. 2026
Seating sprawls out openly from the bar and music is kept low, all efforts to encourage conversation and communion among neighbors and guests.
—Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
The city of Los Angeles sprawls across roughly 500 square miles, creating logistical hurdles if nothing else for a candidate seeking citywide office from a remote location, noted Democratic political consultant Mike Trujillo.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The main home’s primary suite sprawls across two levels, with room for a private office, gym, or library.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2026
Stripped back to just Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson, the drone-metal titans explore the minutiae of microtonal vibrations on an album that sprawls like land art.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 4 Apr. 2026
According to the European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS), at least 99 people have died since October 2025, mostly in the Alps — the mountain range that serves as the continent’s skiing hub and sprawls across several countries including France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
The metro sprawls across two states and multiple counties, each running its own assessment playbook.
—Allison Palmer
updated February 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
Evergreen sprawls like old Bisbee, improvised.
—Masha Hamilton, Longreads, 19 Feb. 2026
Seating sprawls out openly from the bar and music is kept low, all efforts to encourage conversation and communion among neighbors and guests.
—Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawls
Verb
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The Israeli government and military have said forces will remain in a buffer zone that spans the countries' border and extends at least six miles into Lebanese territory, and that residents will not be allowed to return home, until the Hezbollah threat is removed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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The decision also extends to OPEC+, a larger group that consists of other oil producers such as Russia.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The rugged island—the fourth-largest in the Mediterranean Sea—sits southeast of the French Riviera and deserves much more time than a quick stroll around the port.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The conference site sits near a major Colombian fuel-storage terminal, highlighting the tension between climate ambitions and the fossil-fuel dependency.—
Fabiano Maisonnave,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Ciddi argued Turkey's current trajectory increasingly diverges from alliance priorities.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Where the story diverges is the way New Edition combined hip-hop, R&B, and old-school doo-wop to create new jack swing.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Somebody who is just living greatness and never rests on that laurel, but is always pushing herself to expand as an artist.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
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The whole security architecture rests on those layers.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The rest of the property radiates outwards from here, incorporating four restaurants, rooms and suites spread across a number of individual low-rise blocks, the Conrad Spa, and meeting and events space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
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Symptoms differ from strokes caused by a blockage in the brain, as a spinal stroke causes pain in the neck or back that radiates through the limbs, muscle weakness or numbness, incontinence and loss of sensation, such as feeling touch or temperature changes.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore The Indonesian archipelago straddles many of the waterways governing access between the Indian Ocean and the rest of East Asia, which hasn’t escaped the notice of Indonesian officials.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
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The city of New London, which straddles Waupaca and Outagamie counties, urgently requested volunteers for sandbagging efforts Friday morning.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 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 2 May. 2026.
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