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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sprawl
Other portions of the Judiciary Committee’s bill were rolled into the legislature’s sprawling budget bill, which passed both chambers earlier this week.
—
Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025
From small picnic areas and playgrounds to sprawling urban parks designed to feel like the bucolic countryside, American cities began providing West cure benefits without the steep price tag or the need to travel.
—Time, 3 June 2025
In the race to be New York City’s next mayor, few issues have generated proposals as ambitious and sprawling as the housing crisis, a top concern for a growing number of voters.
—Mihir Zaveri, New York Times, 1 June 2025
Look for healthy stems and trunks that grow upright rather than sprawling.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025
From small picnic areas and playgrounds to sprawling urban parks designed to feel like the bucolic countryside, American cities began providing West cure benefits without the steep price tag or the need to travel.
—Time, 3 June 2025
In the race to be New York City’s next mayor, few issues have generated proposals as ambitious and sprawling as the housing crisis, a top concern for a growing number of voters.
—Mihir Zaveri, New York Times, 1 June 2025
Look for healthy stems and trunks that grow upright rather than sprawling.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sprawl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawl
Verb
-
The Pacers finally broke open a close game by opening the second half on a 9-0 run, then extended their lead to 78-63 courtesy of three straight 3-pointers — two from Thomas Bryant and one from Andrew Nembhard.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
-
Flower food helps keep bacteria out of the water and extend the lifespan of your cut blooms.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
Privacy, security, and ethics are converging, not diverging.—
Diana Spehar,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
Additionally, responses diverged by geographic region.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
Additional highlights included a carousel ride with the siblings sitting together, roller coasters and walks throughout the park, which is currently celebrating its 70th anniversary.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
7 June 2025
-
Once owned by Mickey Drexler, the 26-acre horse farm sits on a sandy road a stone’s throw from Peter Beard’s house and the Roosevelt estate.—
Alessandra Schade,
Vogue,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
Abu Shabab’s social media presence, along with slick videos and fluent English commentary, has expanded.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
8 June 2025
-
The work taps into an expanding debate about how biological evolution fits within the normal framework of science.—
Philip Ball,
Wired News,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
The company’s attempt at an autonomous vehicle also flopped.—
Shannon Carroll,
Quartz,
29 May 2025
-
The musical famously flopped upon its 1988 Broadway debut, closing after just 68 performances.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
Fallout from President Trump’s break with Elon Musk is roiling a Republican Party that was already divided over the fate of the president’s landmark legislation.—
Michael Wilner,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
-
Americans were also divided over what their separation means for the country, according to the survey, which has a margin of error of 2.1 percentage points.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
The primary suite radiates a somber sort of opulence.—
Daniel Cote,
Robb Report,
4 June 2025
-
That attitude radiated through each look on the runway, where every model felt like a character in an Autty Simone dreamworld.—
Karissa Mitchell,
Essence,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
The corridor was branded as the 16th Street Mall and designed to compete with suburban development, a place to shop, dine, lounge around or walk to work.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
29 May 2025
-
The boat staff is congenial and knowledgeable, so don’t hesitate to ask it about island history or to take a picture of you and your crew lounging on the deck.—
DeMarco Williams,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawl. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share