outstretch

verb

out·​stretch ˌau̇t-ˈstrech How to pronounce outstretch (audio)
outstretched; outstretching; outstretches

transitive verb

: to stretch out : extend

Examples of outstretch in a Sentence

the dog had outstretched his legs and was lying across the width of the doorway having outstretched our lunch break beyond all reason, we reluctantly headed back to work
Recent Examples on the Web Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology created a minuscule folding quadcopter that can outstretch its arms and get airborne within one second. Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2015 Verlander is now set to cash in with a multi-year deal, one that may outstretch what Houston is willing to spend. Michael Shapiro, Chron, 22 Nov. 2022 Siqui Sanchez/Getty Images What would happen if a crowd of people stormed the gates of Area 51 looking for aliens, and all of them ran really fast with their arms outstretched behind them? Jacey Fortin, New York Times, 15 July 2019 While kicking around a soccer ball, the little princess took a few breaks to balance on one leg with her arms outstretched above her head. Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 26 Nov. 2019 The component sounds of Spanish words, cut down to two vowels and four consonants, are conveyed by whistling, the trick being to curl your fingers against your mouth with one finger outstretched, as if your hand were a gun. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2020 And that’s Bell jogging in to score the winning run with both arms outstretched over his head to give the Diamondbacks their only world championship. Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, 10 Jan. 2020 As Congress applauded the line, Pelosi stood, outstretched her arms, and clapped slowly and deliberately, as if the clap was more in jest than sincerity. Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 23 Dec. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outstretch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outstretch was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near outstretch

Cite this Entry

“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outstretch. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

outstretch

verb
out·​stretch au̇t-ˈstrech How to pronounce outstretch (audio)
: to stretch out : extend
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