sprawl
verb (used without object)
to be stretched or spread out in an unnatural or ungraceful manner.
were sprawling
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past progressiveof sprawl.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Actual arguments were sprawling — 18 hours over three days, with 38 participants.
From Seattle Times ● May 15, 2024
His birthday parties were sprawling, genial affairs, with kids, dogs, food, movies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2023
The accusations centered on the country’s former president, Jacob Zuma, and his associates, and the misdeeds recounted were sprawling and salacious.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 22, 2022
Rather than climbing a trellis, for instance, the grapevines were sprawling across the ground.
From New York Times ● Nov. 21, 2012
In a second we were sprawling on the floor—all except Edmund, who kept his hold on the knob.
From A Columbus of Space by Garrett Putman Serviss
