splay
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.
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"The foot does start to change shape and tends to splay a little bit over time," says Branthwaite.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
"These splay faults are closer to the coast, so these tsunamis will be faster to hit the coastline than a tsunami generated only from a subduction zone earthquake."
From Science Daily ● May 20, 2024
Too many such cells caused the sepals to splay and expose the petals prematurely.
From Science Magazine ● Aug. 23, 2023
Branches splay out widely and become roosting places for choirs of myna birds.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 10, 2023
Spasms cause Peeta’s hands to tighten into fists, then splay out in a bizarre fashion.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
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This is a woman who has the world where she wants it, and who laughs blithely throughout our chat – even when discussing the terrifying anxieties she nightly splays across the stage.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 20, 2019
Sediment that breaches the levees during flood stage is called crevasse splays delivering silt and clay into the floodplain.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2017
The anole splays its little lizard fingers to break its fall as it hurtles face-first onto the ground.
From Slate ● Oct. 23, 2014
Simmer the farro or spelt until it splays.
From New York Times ● Aug. 29, 2014
He splays his arms and fingers to show this is all his land.
From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone
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Just before the trailer finishes, a hilarious decree comes down from Mount Disney, splayed across the screen like law: “See it in InfinityVision!”
From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026
Biking gear and supplies were splayed around the living room.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 1, 2026
Back in my room, I lay in bed and splayed out the cash in my hand, sending a photo of the bounty to my wife, who was surely fast asleep.
From Slate ● Nov. 18, 2025
The full video shows a man — Retes — splayed on the ground surrounded by agents.
From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2025
Dvoyka splayed his fingers at Ivan and said, “Splash!”
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
Images from the scene show a mangled heap of scaffolding and concrete splaying out onto the street, covered by green safety netting.
From BBC ● May 24, 2026
On her knees, she bows, splaying her arm in praise.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2025
With each new bird that arrived on-screen, she changed her approach, splaying herself flat on the floor and then pouncing in vain.
From New York Times ● Dec. 7, 2021
Do not braid or fold the leaves; gather them with garden twine to prevent splaying.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 6, 2021
And just above my head, I discovered a hole had appeared in the windowpane, little cracks splaying out from it like the web of a spider.
From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
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Vocabulary lists containing splay
The Hobbit
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One of Us Is Lying
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Pax
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