the stretch
noun
: the final straight part of a racecourse before the finish line
the horses are in the (final) stretch
—often used figurativelyShe's in the final stretch. The baby's due next month.
They will wind up the season with a winning record having won some crucial games down the stretch.
Examples of the stretch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk became a go-to pass-catching threat because any open man would do down the stretch.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
At running back, Jeremy Payne emerged as the potential starter down the stretch with 100-yard games against Houston and Cincinnati, plus the game-winning touchdown against USC in the Alamo Bowl.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2026
The stars seemed to point that way for Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, too, down the stretch of the season.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
His performance down the stretch enabled the Rams to outlast the Panthers and advance to the divisional round.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
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Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
At running back, Jeremy Payne emerged as the potential starter down the stretch with 100-yard games against Houston and Cincinnati, plus the game-winning touchdown against USC in the Alamo Bowl.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2026
The stars seemed to point that way for Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, too, down the stretch of the season.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
His performance down the stretch enabled the Rams to outlast the Panthers and advance to the divisional round.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
Cite this Entry
“The stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20stretch. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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