stretch 1 of 3

Definition of stretchnext

stretch

2 of 3

verb

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to pull
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure I stretched a back muscle, and the pain is killing me

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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

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4
5
as in to tighten
to draw tight if the canvas isn't properly stretched over the frame, there will be sagging over time

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stretch

3 of 3

adjective

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 stretch
Noun
Motorists should be cautious of highways 93, 95 and even stretches of 55 during high winds, the meteorologist said. Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 12 May 2026 And the mini-chains that cater to them — Gorjana, Solidcore, Vuori — are following them uptown, dotting stretches of Second and Third Avenue between 72nd and 86th Street. Anne Kadet, Curbed, 12 May 2026
Verb
Rai said the additional five years, stretching the patent from 2026 to 2031, likely stem from the Hatch-Waxman Act, a 1984 law that allows drugmakers to extend patents by up to five years to make up for time lost moving their drug through clinical trials and the FDA approval process. Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 13 May 2026 He has been forced to rely on costly air freight to ship products to Europe after maritime delays through the Strait of Hormuz stretched shipment to around 50 days — which would otherwise take 30 to 40 days. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 May 2026
Adjective
The senior wide receiver led the Bruins out of stretch lines and took a more vocal approach to practice. Gabriel Duarte, Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026 The baggy straight-wide silhouette feels relaxed but still pulled together, with stretch denim and a drawstring waist for comfort. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
  • Another 5 million Singapore dollars will be set aside under a separate fund to help tourism businesses expand into new markets and reduce the financial risks of expansion, Fu said.
    Sydney Goh, CNBC, 11 May 2026
  • The playoff expanded from four to 12 teams in 2024, and after decision makers failed to reach an expansion agreement, the CFP will use the same model for the 2026 season.
    Maura Carey, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • The chef Eric Ripert and his partner, Maguy Le Coze, understand that space and time are as much luxuries as the commitment to craft and decades of dedication that give each plate here a consummate gleam.
    Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
  • Each of the treatment rooms is named for a different flower or herb, and inside, that specific fragrance fills the space.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • The limited range of religions represented at Rededicate 250 has drawn criticism from Mathewes and others, who say the event does not grasp the dynamic spectrum of faiths America has come to represent over its 250 years.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 May 2026
  • With the market opening up, producers began selling beef — once affordable across much of Argentina’s social spectrum — at prices closer to international levels.
    Clara Preve, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • Designed by Chilean architect Felipe Assadi, the 14 villas and main lodge, constructed from native lenga wood, are indistinguishable from the treeline at a distance, a design feature that reflects the immersive ethos at the heart of the hotel.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
  • Located near the lakefront and within walking distance of the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, the opening places a major national moment directly inside the communities that have long carried Black Chicago’s cultural and political history.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Someone could leave out important details, exaggerate or accidentally confuse you without meaning to.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
  • The league decided to introduce postgame flop fines in the 2012-13 season where plays were reviewed after games and those individuals were fined for exaggerating contact.
    Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • When Evans scored a short-handed goal off the rush, Ruff pulled Lyon for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • Junior Aimee Colson led the Raiders in sacksand total flag pulls this season while senior RonNeisha Thomas led in interceptions.
    Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2026
Verb
  • Their front crisp seams also have a leg-lengthening effect — a big plus for a petite wearer like me.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 7 May 2026
  • Interest rates on the rise, loan terms lengthen Many borrowers are also facing higher interest rates when buying a car.
    Annie Nova, CNBC, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • Unions are now trying to encourage more teachers to sign up.
    Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2026
  • The Pistons tried rallying for another fourth-quarter comeback but couldn’t muster the scoring or stops necessary to do so.
    Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 12 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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