urban sprawl
noun
: the spreading of urban developments (such as houses and shopping centers) on undeveloped land near a city
Examples of urban sprawl in a Sentence
efforts to stop urban sprawl
Recent Examples on the Web
For cinephiles, this feature, shot on 16-millimeter film, will likely feel like a successor to John Waters’ dynasty of filth, down to its setting in the fictional urban sprawl of Trashtown.
—
Elaina Patton, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
While heavy rainfall plays a part, urban gullies are largely the result of human activity – roads without drainage, rapidly growing urban sprawl and the removal of vegetation as areas becoming increasingly populated.
—New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2025
Travelers are drawn to Denver's blend of urban sprawl and year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
The visual language seamlessly blends Tokyo’s urban sprawl with intimate domestic spaces.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for urban sprawl
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Elaina Patton, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
While heavy rainfall plays a part, urban gullies are largely the result of human activity – roads without drainage, rapidly growing urban sprawl and the removal of vegetation as areas becoming increasingly populated.
—New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2025
Travelers are drawn to Denver's blend of urban sprawl and year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
The visual language seamlessly blends Tokyo’s urban sprawl with intimate domestic spaces.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for urban sprawl
Cite this Entry
“Urban sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urban%20sprawl. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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