1
as in to extend
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area the dog had outstretched his legs and was lying across the width of the doorway

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2
as in to lengthen
to make longer having outstretched our lunch break beyond all reason, we reluctantly headed back to work

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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 outstretch And that’s Bell jogging in to score the winning run with both arms outstretched over his head to give the Diamondbacks their only world championship. Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, 10 Jan. 2020 As Congress applauded the line, Pelosi stood, outstretched her arms, and clapped slowly and deliberately, as if the clap was more in jest than sincerity. Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 23 Dec. 2019 While kicking around a soccer ball, the little princess took a few breaks to balance on one leg with her arms outstretched above her head. Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 26 Nov. 2019 While kicking around a soccer ball, the little princess took a few breaks to balance on one leg with her arms outstretched above her head. Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 26 Nov. 2019 See All Example Sentences for outstretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstretch
Verb
  • Given the dominance of their major predator, the wolf, in mountainous and forested regions of the north, the coyote found its niche in the grasslands and deserts of North America east of the Mississippi to the Pacific and extending south into Mexico.
    Helen Whybrow July 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
  • The implications of the Democrats’ current predicament extend far beyond immediate legislative setbacks.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Dislocated joints have been repaired, tendons have been lengthened.
    Scott Craven, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025
  • With shorter, warmer winters in recent years, the season when ticks bite is lengthening.
    Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • Although the company is actively adapting—expanding into energy storage, changing billing models, and tweaking its supply chain—investors continue to be concerned about the pace and effectiveness of these strategic adjustments.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • To expand its financial services sector, the BVI is developing an International Arbitration Center, positioning itself as a premier destination for international dispute resolution.
    Panorama Media Ltd, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Ostensibly intended to protect a church’s autonomy in choosing its spiritual leaders, the exception has since been stretched into a catch-all excuse to deny employees of religious schools all kinds of legal recourse.
    A.J. Schumann, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2025
  • Carlos Alcaraz of Spain stretches to reach a shot from Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany in the third round of the Gentlemen's Singles Competition on Centre Court during the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All...
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • Since then, other doors have opened for Blankenship, as well.
    Pam Windsor, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a query to determine if further action is needed to address a rollaway issue affecting 2013-2018 Ram trucks.
    Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Under such a scenario, production would rapidly increase as would dollars facilitating same.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • In a LinkedIn post, Farley called for speeding up permitting processes, increasing spending on vocational training, leveraging robotics and augmented reality to help with these spaces and suggested an AmeriCorps-type program for these roles.
    Breana Noble, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretch. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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