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
Because splay faults are connected to these zones, their location makes researching them a challenge.
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
His hounds splay on the rug before the fire.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
Marshall slows it down by a factor of four, splays the voices and leaves its melodies hanging plaintively in the air, echoing into the distance like a musical question mark.
From New York Times ● Jun. 9, 2022
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
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
Uncle Mbaezi lay facedown in an ungainly twist, legs splayed.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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
Little happens other than chain-smoking, costume changes and interminable shots of color-shifting strobe lighting splaying across the cast’s cheekbones.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026
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
“But I saw you outside earlier when Jack dropped you off, and your face was”— Vivian lifts her knobby hands, splaying her fingers—“all lit up. You were talking up a storm.”
From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline
Vocabulary lists containing splay
The Hobbit
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One of Us Is Lying
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"The Ravine" by Graham Salisbury
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