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
Josh Hart led the Knicks with 26 points, including two three-pointers down the stretch to close out the matchup.
—
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
Minnesota has suffered a dozen one-goal losses this season but been a tough out down the stretch, playing with notable resilience and grit since Canfield’s arrival.
—Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026
The offense went cold down the stretch as the club returns to Kauffman Stadium on Thursday.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
Hunter started 21 games and emerged down the stretch in TCU’s first run to the Elite Eight with Hailey Van Lith and Sedona Prince.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
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Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
Minnesota has suffered a dozen one-goal losses this season but been a tough out down the stretch, playing with notable resilience and grit since Canfield’s arrival.
—Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026
The offense went cold down the stretch as the club returns to Kauffman Stadium on Thursday.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
Hunter started 21 games and emerged down the stretch in TCU’s first run to the Elite Eight with Hailey Van Lith and Sedona Prince.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 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 15 Apr. 2026.
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