splay
Example Sentences
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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
"The island is kind of stuck in the middle of these splay faults, so anytime these splay faults rupture, it's actually recording the uplift," DePaolis said.
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 stiff forelegs splay out to the sides like stilts, for he’s been caught in the act of reaching down for water.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
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
I felt the same when I first came across Granny in my feed, splayed across Justin and Hailey Bieber’s arms at the Coachella Music Festival.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
All lay splayed on the sidewalk, one a couple blocks from my home, the other two, blocks apart, closer to the market, itself located in a neighborhood where need is evident.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 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
My father pressed both hands against the wall and splayed his fingers.
From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx
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
Under the watchful eyes of Ogiri inhabitants, he found himself splaying his hands, almost as if to say, Look, I come in peace.
From Slate ● Dec. 16, 2023
Utility poles were knocked down, the wires splaying into the road and along the front of the property.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 29, 2022
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
The Hobbit
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One of Us Is Lying
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"The Ravine" by Graham Salisbury
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