outstretched 1 of 2

adjective

as in extensive

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

outstretched

2 of 2

verb

past tense of outstretch
1
as in extended
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lengthened
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 outstretched
Adjective
From the vantage point of the stage, the outstretched hands of the crowd looked not unlike the Eugène Delacroix painting of the Revolution of 1848, which Coldplay used as cover art their 2008 album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. — Skyli Alvarez, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026 The figure’s outstretched hand holds up a tiny fairy-like woman at eye level. — Artforum, 4 Nov. 2026 The wings were awkward and ugly, tipped with crooked, writhing little hands, the outstretched skin loose and shivering between its fingers. — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026 Fireflies flit along her path, guiding her toward the safety of her parents’ outstretched arms. — Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026 Hollywell follows suit with a big grin and outstretched arms, a DIY king ready to show off his castle, while an unreleased Twisted Teens song with Winkler singing harmonies blasts throughout the room. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026 During the last mile, those who happen to run past Diplo, as the course loops back on itself toward Lincoln Financial Field, see his hand outstretched and on offer. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 In fact, the outstretched leg of midfielder Nicolas Fernandez almost broke up the cross-pitch through ball that Berterame tried to sneak to the 39-year-old right before halftime. — Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 The Sixpack offers a bit of an outstretched hand to try to woo those buyers back to the Dodge fold. — New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstretched
  1. extensive
  2. extended
  3. lengthened
  4. far-reaching
  5. expanded
  6. stretched
  7. longish
  8. opened
Adjective
  • Fraser Shilling, director of the Road Ecology Center, and his team determined that extensive fencing on highways is the solution to reducing roadkill, not just wildlife crossings.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The plan does not include crosswalks, which city spokesperson Jack VanderToll said require more extensive work such as accessible sidewalks and curb ramps.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of extensive
Verb
  • The state expanded the tax credit from $330 million to $750 million last year, and extended the program through 2030.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Connor McDavid scored a goal and extended his NHL record season-opening assists streak to 15 games, powering the Edmonton Oilers past the New York Rangers 4-1 on Sunday.
    — CBS New York Team, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of extended
Verb
  • Those disruptions have lengthened voyages and driven up tanker costs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Those exclusive windows, sharply shortened during the pandemic, have gradually lengthened again, according to Octavio Alzola, programming and marketing director at arthouse cinema chain Cines Renoir.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of lengthened
Adjective
  • The implications of this global trend are far-reaching, and for many, simply alarming.
    — Daron Acemoglu, Time, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Sweeping wins by Democrats could have far-reaching implications for data centers.
    — Marc Levy, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of far-reaching
Verb
  • As Greenwood expanded, sections K, T and 3 in the northern portion of the cemetery became the final resting places for generations of Black Orlandoans, including veterans who had bravely served their country.
    — Sarah M. Boye, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Political Condemnation Widens Condemnation has expanded beyond the officials who spoke out earlier in the week.
    — Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of expanded
Verb
  • Buyout holding periods have stretched to around seven years, compared with five to six years between 2010 and 2021, according to Bain.
    — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Some polling places saw lines that stretched blocks for much of election day.
    — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of stretched
Adjective
  • Fond of travel but afraid to fly, Pan would take longish vacations in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, or Mexico, sometimes accompanied by his nieces.
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Throughout the event, a guy bounds around, introducing the recordists, then crouching to cue their recordings on a laptop, his dark, longish hair under a black dad cap bearing the club’s name.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of longish
Verb
  • Sergei Murashov made 26 saves as Pittsburgh opened a three-game California trip with just its third win in 11 games.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Colorado's Loveland Ski Area opened its doors for the 2026-2027 season on Saturday.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of opened

Browse Nearby Words

outstretch
outstretched
outstretches
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outstretched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretched. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All