to spread-eagle
1
7.6
- phrasal verb
- /ˈsprɛdˌiɡəl/
- The large estate spread-eagles across the entire valley, touching several neighboring villages.
Examples
-
The new railway line will soon spread-eagle the region with tracks and stations.
-
The new bridge will spread-eagle across the river, providing easy access to both sides.
-
His influence spread-eagled far beyond the company, reaching into politics and education.
-
The bird spread-eagled its wings to take flight.
-
He loves to spread-eagle on the grass.
-
With its wings fully spread-eagle, the eagle soared majestically over the mountains.
-
The artist decided to spread-eagle the colors across the canvas to create a vibrant effect.
Synonyms
768
1.6
To put a thin layer over a surface
222
3.3
To go across an area or distance
84
3.1
To arrange or unfold things so they cover a larger area
70
2.3
To extend across a large area or long distance
69
3.6
Form a layer across a surface, like fog or icing
31
5.0
To reach across an area so parts are on both sides
11
4.6
To spread out over a large area in an untidy way
4
4.2
To continue for a long distance along a narrow area
1
7.1
Move across a surface and cover it, like mist or color
Antonyms
How Wide
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Spread-eagle can mean to stretch out over a wide area, like an eagle flying with spread 'wings' across the sky. That is why we say something can spread-eagle across land or reach far and wide.