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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

In one inspirational photo, a large multicolored butterfly spans the entire seat of a vintage pair of Miss Sixty jeans, while in another, shiny silver flowers splay across a Dries van Noten jacket.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 28, 2024

Too many such cells caused the sepals to splay and expose the petals prematurely.

From Science Magazine ● Aug. 23, 2023

His upper teeth are small and splay out.

From "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio

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

It splays across the hot cement and dangles near the toes of her sneakers.

From "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly

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

They clipped 13 seconds of him tearing into a Whopper, sauce and a grin splayed across his face, and posted it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 7, 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

She landed on her back, all splayed out.

From "Because of Mr. Terupt" by Rob Buyea

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

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

He signaled to him, splaying his hands with exaggerated impatience: When are they coming out?

From New York Times ● Aug. 13, 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


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