Definition of outstretchnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The component sounds of Spanish words, cut down to two vowels and four consonants, are conveyed by whistling, the trick being to curl your fingers against your mouth with one finger outstretched, as if your hand were a gun. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2020 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 See All Example Sentences for outstretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstretch
Verb
  • Batting from the right side, Romo’s home run to left-center against Suter in the sixth extended the lead to 4-1.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Coach Luis Enrique's PSG is at full strength while Vincent Kompany's Bayern has already clinched a record-extending 35th Bundesliga championship and remains on course for a treble.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • If the company ticks a few remaining boxes, the drug could soon be on sale, kick-starting a new era of longevity medicine that could eventually also lengthen humans’ lives.
    Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
  • Osceola County, currently contained entirely within District 9, will be chopped into two districts despite 9 being lengthened and extended well to the south.
    Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • The chain eventually expanded to other nameplates — Banana Republic and Old Navy — and now generates more than $15 billion in sales globally.
    Anne D'Innocenzio, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026
  • That means expanding the Renter’s Tax Credit, protecting homeowners from rising costs and making sure renters know their rights and can access homelessness prevention services.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • The Moon in Capricorn moves through your 3rd House, opposing Jupiter in your 9th, stretching the gap between details and interpretation.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2026
  • San Antonio stretched its lead to as many as 47 points on the way to leveling the series at one game apiece.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • People drove up and opened trunks to reveal boxes and shopping bags full of ancient yellowed papers.
    Mary Norris, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
  • Later, Mercury in Aries aligns with Chiron, opening the door for honest conversations that can repair something important.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • The 76ers led for all but 31 seconds in the game, increasing a five-point halftime edge to 18 in the third quarter.
    Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
  • Her aunt plans to pressure the City Council to pass measures to increase building safety.
    Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretch. Accessed 7 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster