What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sprawl
Example
The cat sprawled out on the couch, taking up all the space. [sprawled: verb]
Example
The city sprawled out over the years, with no clear plan for development. [sprawl: noun]
Example
The ivy plant sprawled across the fence, creating a natural barrier. [sprawled: verb]
disperse
Example
The protesters dispersed after the police arrived. [dispersed: verb]
Example
The smoke from the fire dispersed quickly in the wind. [dispersed: verb]
Example
The seeds of the dandelion plant disperse easily in the wind. [disperse: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disperse is more commonly used than sprawl in everyday language. Disperse is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sprawl is less common and has more specific uses.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sprawl and disperse?
Both sprawl and disperse are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
