1
as in expansion
a wide space or area
a narrow stretch of beach below the cliffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
3
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of stretch
Matt Roy, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Win just one of those, and, wow, MU would be entering the final four-game stretch in contention for the 12-team College Football Playoff.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2025
Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Redrawn in 2021, the 7th District includes Clarksville and parts of North and West Nashville and stretches down to the Alabama border.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Nov. 2025
Malik Peay, Essence, 4 Dec. 2025
The event’s board and advisory council is looking to raise $180,000 toward its stretch goal of $250,000 before the end of the calendar year.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Noun
That ignited a crazy stretch that saw three touchdowns on five plays.
—Matt Roy, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Win just one of those, and, wow, MU would be entering the final four-game stretch in contention for the 12-team College Football Playoff.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
With child care now costing costing more than many college degrees and more than rent in some major cities, parents are finding finances stretched.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Redrawn in 2021, the 7th District includes Clarksville and parts of North and West Nashville and stretches down to the Alabama border.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Outside of a stretch routine suitable for an Olympic gymnast, India Bradley maintains consistency in her self-care habits.
—Malik Peay, Essence, 4 Dec. 2025
The event’s board and advisory council is looking to raise $180,000 toward its stretch goal of $250,000 before the end of the calendar year.
—David Aldridge, New York Times, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
-
The federal government pays 90% of the costs of Idaho’s Medicaid expansion, which as of early 2025 provided access to care for about 90,000 lower-income Idaho residents who earn too much to qualify for standard Medicaid but not enough for private insurance discounts.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Washington’s neutrality preserved the republic’s future, enabling economic expansion under the funding system Hamilton designed, territorial growth through the Louisiana Purchase and beyond, and eventual emergence as a great power capable of tipping global balances.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
David Bowie personally appears on the cover of 24 of his solo albums, depicting himself as a bowl-cut heartthrob, an androgynous blond, a space alien in human disguise, a cigarette-smoking lounge creature, a sideways pair of legs, and an oddly undersized boxer.—
Armin Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Whether commuting for work or running errands, Dana is a carryall with ample space for essentials (think phone, keys, wallet, and sunglasses), along with a 13-inch laptop, water bottle, makeup, portable charger, lightweight jacket, snacks, and a notebook.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the 12-day Israeli war on Iran last summer, figures on all sides of the political spectrum came together in a rare show of unity, denouncing Israel for striking their country.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
-
On the other end of the style spectrum, Lily Collins has shown how elevated mom jeans can be, wearing mom jeans with black stilettos and a chunky belt.—
Aaron Royce,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The system currently operates at short engagement distances.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Allegations that are now spreading online could be misinterpreting records or exaggerating minor issues — or could be exposing actual fraudulent activity.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
-
For instance, Venus opposing Jupiter retrograde can exaggerate desires or emotional spending, while the sun, Mars and Mercury opposing Jupiter can result in overextension or impulsive decision-making.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images TORONTO — Anthony Stolarz pulled Dennis Hildeby in close as the 6-foot-7 Swede was putting the finishing touches on his goalie gear.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The strands just brush her brows in the center and gradually lengthen towards the sides to blend in with the rest of her hair.—
María Munsuri,
Glamour,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) sets rules for how defendants can use classified evidence in court and can lengthen the pretrial process.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than using multiple materials, for example, builders who are trying to be both stylish and cost-effective will stick with one or two and use color to add depth.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The final slide of her carousel featured a video of her trying her hand at Muay Thai, a form of Thai boxing.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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