by any/no stretch of the imagination
phrase
—used to emphasize that something is not true, does not happen, etc.
They're not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination.
By no stretch of the imagination does the factory operate efficiently.
Cite this Entry
“By any/no stretch of the imagination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20any%2Fno%20stretch%20of%20the%20imagination. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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