outstretch

verb out·stretch \ ˌau̇t-ˈstrech \

Updated on: 2 Apr 2018

Definition of outstretch

transitive verb

: to stretch out : extend

See outstretch defined for kids

Examples of outstretch in a Sentence

the dog had outstretched his legs and was lying across the width of the doorway
having outstretched our lunch break beyond all reason, we reluctantly headed back to work

Recent Examples of outstretch from the Web

Nicole Lilienthal was the master female champion (22:25), who outstretched May Pini (22:26) at the finish line.

— emmett hall, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Shamrock 5K Run awash in green with its own March madness," 18 Mar. 2018
Brooks frequently outstretched his arms, removed his cowboy hat and shook his head in disbelief at the crowd's energy.

— joey guerra, Houston Chronicle, "Garth Brooks duets with Trisha Yearwood, promises to return at record-breaking RodeoHouston finale," 18 Mar. 2018
In the final straightaway, Diggins chased down Stina Nilsson of Sweden and outstretched her at the finish to win by 19-hundredths of a second.

— talya minsberg, New York Times, "U.S. Ends Cross-Country Drought With Gold Medal," 21 Feb. 2018
Buy Photo Michele Refford walked up and down the three blocks of demonstrators Tuesday morning, her cell phone outstretched.

— erin mccarthy, Philly.com, "After another accident, bike lane advocates again take to Philly streets," 19 Dec. 2017
His video shows the shark come out from under a peer and swim straight at his wife, who has one arm outstretched in front of her.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "SC couple’s honeymoon turns bloody when shark attacks at resort | Charlotte Observer," 13 Dec. 2017
Then the justice would hold his hand up with all five fingers outstretched, indicating that five votes on the Supreme Court were what really changed the Constitution.

— james w. lucas, National Review, "The Supreme Court versus the Constitution," 8 Dec. 2017
There Lenin seems less like a fiery leader than a grumpy retiree, his arm outstretched as if trying to call back a bus that sped past him.

— Washington Post, "100 years after Russian revolution, Lenin statues abound," 5 Nov. 2017
Sassy was content to sit at David's side, but also loves to play and enjoyed rolling on her back, outstretching her legs and waving her paws as if wanting to give David a hug.

— laura bruck, cleveland.com, "Sassy has lost her home, her family and her best feline friend," 15 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'outstretch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.