sprawl
to be stretched or spread out in an unnatural or ungraceful manner: The puppy's legs sprawled in all directions.
to sit or lie in a relaxed position with the limbs spread out carelessly or ungracefully: He sprawled across the bed.
to spread out, extend, or be distributed in a straggling or irregular manner, as vines, buildings, handwriting, etc.
to crawl awkwardly with the aid of all the limbs; scramble.
to stretch out (the limbs) as in sprawling.
to spread out or distribute in a straggling manner.
the act or an instance of sprawling; a sprawling posture.
a straggling array of something.
Origin of sprawl
1Other words for sprawl
Other words from sprawl
- sprawler, noun
- sprawl·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use sprawl in a sentence
Andersen, from the Sierra Club, suggested the county could even buy up land where developers have proposed sprawl developments as part of those protected tracts.
County’s New Climate Plan Could Use the System That Doomed the Old Plan | MacKenzie Elmer | January 13, 2021 | Voice of San DiegoSupervisors can no longer ignore the clear relationship between more urban sprawl and the increasingly deadly wildfires threatening residents.
San Diego Has a New Board – and Hopefully a New Approach to Development | Van Collinsworth | December 17, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoSan Diego County’s lame-duck supervisors recently approved yet another massive new sprawl development in the ecologically rich Proctor Valley.
San Diego Has a New Board – and Hopefully a New Approach to Development | Van Collinsworth | December 17, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoThe Otay project is just the latest in a long line of destructive and deeply unpopular sprawl developments greenlighted by county supervisors in recent years.
San Diego Has a New Board – and Hopefully a New Approach to Development | Van Collinsworth | December 17, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoHanding out special exceptions for individual sprawl projects undermines these goals and allows big developers to play by different rules than everyone else.
San Diego Has a New Board – and Hopefully a New Approach to Development | Van Collinsworth | December 17, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
Sprawled on chaise lounges with their knees high in the air and their legs spread wide.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’ | Asawin Suebsaeng | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTMoments later, the unarmed Brown was sprawled dead in the street, having been shot at least six times.
From Ferguson Cop Embroiled in a Brutality Suit to City Councilwoman | Michael Daly | August 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn another black-and-white shot, they are boyishly sprawled on the rose-printed carpet of their suite, reading piles of fan mail.
The other sprawled over two countries and included dinner at Versailles.
Which of Kim Kardashian’s Weddings Was More Ridiculous? | Kevin Fallon | May 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut McKenna was not going to leave Glover sprawled unattended in the street.
Why Was My Son Killed in Fallujah—and His Murderer Set Free? | Michael Daly | January 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnother man was sprawled on the gray broadloom of the reception room, a brownish puddle beneath his side.
"I don't want any darn coffee," he growled, and sprawled himself stomach down on the bed, with his face turned from the light.
Cabin Fever | B. M. BowerOver them he scrambled and he sprawled till he reached the little red and blue sleigh.
Seven O'Clock Stories | Robert Gordon AndersonThe ropes ran loose in their hands, and the boys that held the ends sprawled over on the decks.
The Rival Campers Afloat | Ruel Perley SmithOur jaded beasts sprawled and stumbled disheartedly over the wet and slippery stones.
The Cradle of Mankind | W.A. Wigram
British Dictionary definitions for sprawl
/ (sprɔːl) /
(intr) to sit or lie in an ungainly manner with one's limbs spread out
to fall down or knock down with the limbs spread out in an ungainly way
to spread out or cause to spread out in a straggling fashion: his handwriting sprawled all over the paper
the act or an instance of sprawling
a sprawling posture or arrangement of items
the urban area formed by the expansion of a town or city into surrounding countryside: the urban sprawl
the process by which this has happened
Origin of sprawl
1Derived forms of sprawl
- sprawler, noun
- sprawly, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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