Definition of outstretchnext
1
as in to extend
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area the dog had outstretched his legs and was lying across the width of the doorway

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2
as in to lengthen
to make longer having outstretched our lunch break beyond all reason, we reluctantly headed back to work

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of outstretch 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 | [email protected], 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 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 See All Example Sentences for outstretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstretch
Verb
  • That question motivated Clark to better understand aging among plants and animals and to look for hints to extend humans' lifespan.
    — KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • It's also got two passive radiators for deep bass, and CMF says it's tuned the driver to extend its low-end range.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The fund urged debt managers to lengthen maturities, warning that rollover risk could be exacerbated by strategies that replace long-term debt with short-term borrowing on a large scale.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • During construction, it was lengthened by 39 feet, adding a submarine hangar, a media studio, and a 3-D-printing and robotics laboratory.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • From elevating beds to expanding sections to sliding walls and even entire roofs, these 10 homes transform to get maximum use out of a compact space.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Blue Origin is expanding its Florida operations to support a much faster launch schedule, targeting multiple New Glenn flights per week by the end of the decade.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Instead, it’s comprised of five—Sani Beach, Sani Asterias, Porto Sani, Sani Dunes, and Sani Club—stretched out across a slip of sandy beach backed by pine forests on the northwestern Aegean.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Blue crabs and crawfish are sourced from Louisiana, while shellfish such as oysters, Manila clams and cherrystone clams arrive from waters stretching from the East Coast to Asia.
    — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In the narrative to has unfolded from authorities and passenger accounts, Machchhar had the presence of mind to open the locked door of the cockpit after he was stabbed.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • When the pre-sale opened this week for the band’s reunion tour, the Powderfinger camp was collectively gobsmacked.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • To increase supply, the International Energy Agency agreed on Thursday to release more than 20 million barrels of fuel to the market.
    — Arathy Somasekhar Reuters, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Preparing multiple missions Manufacturing more rocket hardware will not increase launch frequency unless teams can prepare several missions simultaneously.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretch. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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