Synonyms for

Span

Verb / spæn / Another word for span — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to stretch or extend across something

Synonyms & similar words

yoke straddle twain couplet brace duad pair sweep distich bridge couple duo twosome cross duet dyad traverse bridge cross cover extend reach stretch traverse connect link pass

Synonyms by register

Formal

extend cover encompass traverse

Informal

stretch go across cover

Literary

bestride bridge

Antonyms

shorten contract limit restrict cease stop

Common collocations

  • span the globe
  • span the years
  • span the distance
  • span the gap
  • span of control
  • span of time
  • span of life

Word family

noun span
verb span

Usage note

As a verb, 'span' often implies covering a distance or period of time. Be careful not to confuse it with 'spin', which means to rotate.

Example sentences

  1. The cat can span the distance between two chairs.
  2. The bridge spans the river.
  3. The rainbow spans the sky.
  4. The rope can span the gap between the two buildings.
  5. The athlete has a long span of arms.

Quotes

  • A span of life is nothing. But the man who lives that span, he is something. He can fill that tiny span with meaning, so its quality is immeasurable though its quantity may be insignificant. - Doerr
  • Love and time, those are the only two things in all the world and all of life that cannot be bought, but only spent. Spend them wisely. - Span
  • The span of my hips, the stride of my step, the curl of my lips. - Angelou

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