Synonyms of stretch

stretch 1 of 3

noun

1

as in expansion

a wide space or area

a narrow stretch of beach below the cliffs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expansion
• expanse
• length
• reach
• distance
• plain
• sheet
• extent
• breadth
• spread
• field
• waste
• territory
• scope
• depth
• domain
• spectrum
• scale
• span
• extension
• sweep
• range
• sphere
• void
• gamut
• compass
• amplitude
• latitude
• magnitude
• emptiness
• immensity

2

as in space

an indefinite but usually short period of time

there was a cardinal at our bird feeder for a short stretch last spring

Synonyms & Similar Words

• space
• while
• bit
• span
• spell
• season
• day
• minute
• lapse
• second
• split second
• era
• infinity
• spurt
• moment
• interval
• epoch
• shake
• instant
• trice
• beat
• nanosecond
• heartbeat
• twinkle
• jiffy
• interim
• perpetuity
• wink
• twinkling
• interlude
• intermission
• eternity
• eon
• flash
• age
• New York minute
• eyeblink
• jiff

3

as in spectrum

the distance or extent between possible extremes

the stories were written over a considerable stretch of time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spectrum
• range
• scale
• gamut
• spread
• width
• pitch
• scope
• diapason
• measure
• reach
• sweep
• extent
• realm
• amplitude
• ambit
• dimension(s)
• compass

4

as in distance

the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects

the longest stretch of the drive without any place to get gas

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distance
• width
• length
• way
• spacing
• remove
• height
• lead
• spread
• space
• area
• extension
• extent
• scope
• throw
• depth
• reach
• range
• rise
• volume
• breadth
• altitude
• flight
• sweep
• drop
• cast
• shot
• clearance
• fall
• haul
• berth

stretch

2 of 3

verb

ˈstrech 

1

as in to exaggerate

to add to the interest of by including made-up details

it was stretching the truth to say she'd been in the movies: she was once an extra whose scene was cut in the final version

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exaggerate
• pad
• enhance
• expand
• color
• embellish
• embroider
• hyperbolize
• elaborate (on)
• satirize
• magnify
• emphasize
• enlarge (on or upon)
• stress
• flesh (out)
• amplify
• hedge
• overdo
• play up
• overemphasize
• overstate
• overdraw
• overplay
• gussy up
• dress up
• caricature
• fudge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minimize
• understate
• belittle
• play down

2

as in to pull

to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure

I stretched a back muscle, and the pain is killing me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pull
• damage
• strain
• hurt
• weaken
• bruise
• rack
• impair
• wrench
• fray
• tear
• wound
• tax
• harm
• cripple
• batter
• mangle
• mutilate
• lame

3

as in to lengthen

to make longer

the time it would take to fix the car got stretched from three hours to two days when the part we needed had to be ordered

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lengthen
• extend
• increase
• prolong
• elongate
• draw out
• drag (out)
• expand
• protract
• outstretch
• enlarge
• thin
• amplify
• attenuate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cut
• shorten
• reduce
• cut back
• curtail
• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• abridge
• abbreviate
• thicken

4

as in to try

to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress

your whining is stretching my patience to the limit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• try
• push
• strain
• test
• get (to)
• tax
• bother
• annoy
• irritate
• pressure
• pain
• demand
• exact
• harass
• spite
• aggravate
• gnaw (at)
• press
• importune
• exasperate
• irk
• pester
• rile
• harry
• hassle
• vex
• agitate
• grate
• gall
• peeve
• nettle

5

as in to tighten

to draw tight

if the canvas isn't properly stretched over the frame, there will be sagging over time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tighten
• tense
• lengthen
• tauten
• elongate
• strain
• extend
• constrict
• cinch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loosen
• relax
• ease
• slack
• slacken

stretch

3 of 3

adjective

as in flexible

able to revert to original size and shape after being stretched, squeezed, or twisted

stretch fabrics that don't wrinkle or sag

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flexible
• plastic
• stretchy
• elastic
• stretchable
• rubbery
• resilient
• rubberlike
• supple
• springy
• bouncy
• whippy
• adaptable
• pliant
• pliable
• ductile
• moldable
• malleable
• limber
• willowy
• kneadable
• lithe
• lissome
• lithesome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rigid
• stiff
• inelastic
• hard
• solid
• inflexible
• short
• firm
• compact
• nonelastic
• unyielding
• crisp
• brittle
• friable
• flaky
• crumbly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stretch

Noun

The Sun will have a long stretch off after this game, but will still be on the road. — David Troy, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Miami won four consecutive MLS games before the World Cup break, but allowed nine goals during that stretch, including four in a wild 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Union in the final game before the hiatus. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Verb

Take a break every 30 to 60 minutes to stand, stretch your neck and shoulders and walk briefly. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

My answer usually begins with a reminder that Mongolia is the world’s 18th largest country, stretching roughly 1,500 miles from east to west and nearly 800 miles from north to south. — Undraa Buyannemekh, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026

Adjective

The halter dress was crafted with stretch silk with a sleek column silhouette complemented by a halter neckline and an open back. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 June 2026

Now on sale for $60, the Levi’s Baggy Cinch Jeans are a slightly more casual wide-leg option that are still perfect for your summer travels with their breathable fit despite their non-stretch, 100 percent cotton construction. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026

Phrases Containing stretch

• stretch (out)