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
  • The shift extends beyond just remote work opportunities.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 25 June 2025
  • The downgrade to a notch above junk was based on loans extended to countries that have defaulted on their obligations.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Think a Wi-Fi enabled security camera, Kindle e-reader, an Anker power bank to lengthen your phone’s battery life, and more—no coupon needed.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 June 2025
  • For corporate treasury desks, this means hedging windows must lengthen and broaden.
    Guney Yildiz, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • However, as has been the case with other annual shopping events, retailers expanded the promotional period to start May 13, a week earlier than in 2024, before ending June 18.
    Bernice Ooi, CNBC, 20 June 2025
  • Last year, his position expanded to include chief franchise officer.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Closing arguments are set to begin this week, on Thursday, and stretch into the following day.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 24 June 2025
  • In short, four prominent celestial objects — the moon, a bright planet and two bright stars — stretched out across a little more than a dozen degrees of the west-northwest sky.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The offshore yuan was little changed on the news and China’s equity futures were yet to open.
    Danny Bakst, Fortune, 27 June 2025
  • Large sliding rear side doors can be configured to open at the push of a key fob button and make buckling kids into their car seats easier, especially in crowded parking lots.
    Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Suicide rates, especially among young men, began to rapidly increase in the 1960s and is among the highest in the world today.
    Morten Høi Jensen, The Dial, 19 June 2025
  • The decision to decrease the tax rate comes after a recent revaluation that increased single-family home values in the county by about 58%.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretch. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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