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Definitions

splay

[splay] / spleɪ /








VERB
flare
Synonyms
STRONGEST
STRONG
Antonyms
STRONG




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.

See Examples For:

"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

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

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




Vocabulary lists containing splay


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