as in extensive
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
Most Miami Beach residents have probably seen, at least from afar, the memorial’s sculpture of a giant outstretched arm reaching to the sky as hundreds of small human figures cling to it and each other with expressions of agony.
—Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026
The rider stance here is described as semi-recumbent, with an upright body and outstretched feet.
—New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2026
Fading away out of the corner of the court and almost into the laps of his teammates on the Hornets bench, Ball hit a rainbow three over Smart’s outstretched hand.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
At the other end, Brown hit two high-arcing first-quarter 3-pointers over Wembanyama’s outstretched arms.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
The photo showed Princess Kate standing on a log in the woods with her arms outstretched.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
In overtime, Celebrini created a turnover, took control of the puck along the boards in the neutral zone, carried it into the Kings zone and on a 2-on-1, fed Eklund, who scored past the outstretched arms of goalie Darcy Kuemper for his 11th goal of the season.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Tottenham did bundle in one goal through Richarlison and had moments when a different bounce or an outstretched boot might have got them an equaliser.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
The original design featured a sphere of outstretched hands.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
Most Miami Beach residents have probably seen, at least from afar, the memorial’s sculpture of a giant outstretched arm reaching to the sky as hundreds of small human figures cling to it and each other with expressions of agony.
—Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026
The rider stance here is described as semi-recumbent, with an upright body and outstretched feet.
—New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2026
Fading away out of the corner of the court and almost into the laps of his teammates on the Hornets bench, Ball hit a rainbow three over Smart’s outstretched hand.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
At the other end, Brown hit two high-arcing first-quarter 3-pointers over Wembanyama’s outstretched arms.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
The photo showed Princess Kate standing on a log in the woods with her arms outstretched.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
In overtime, Celebrini created a turnover, took control of the puck along the boards in the neutral zone, carried it into the Kings zone and on a 2-on-1, fed Eklund, who scored past the outstretched arms of goalie Darcy Kuemper for his 11th goal of the season.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Tottenham did bundle in one goal through Richarlison and had moments when a different bounce or an outstretched boot might have got them an equaliser.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstretched
Adjective
-
China for decades has cultivated an extensive network of ties across Latin America and the Caribbean, a region that encompasses more than 30 countries and 670 million people.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
For an extensive listing of my well-over one hundred analyses and postings, see the link here and the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
It was originally supposed to expire in 2021 but was extended for five more years.—
VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Georgia Southern extended its lead to as much as 10 in the fourth before a 3-pointer from Texas State guard Deja Jones cut the deficit to five.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
School districts canceled class, businesses are closing for the day and warming centers lengthened hours as residents braced for the cold.—
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
jsonline.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The changes lengthened prison sentences for gang members who commit crimes.—
Sonia Pérez D,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Burns, a longtime supporter of public media, said the consequences will be far-reaching.—
Juhi Doshi,
NBC news,
1 Feb. 2026
-
On Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee advanced legislation that would provide far-reaching regulation for the crypto industry, though the vote only passed with Republican support.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Their co-parenting dynamic has expanded now that the supermodel, 45, welcomed a baby boy with husband Joaquim Valente in early 2025.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
That seems to be the strategy at Bote, a Floridian inflatable watercraft company that's expanded out into inflatable lounge wares, including on-water hammocks, portable furniture and, now, sunshades.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Behind Hassan, a bald, muscular man yelled something in Hebrew, and his two arms stretched forward, pointing at Hassan.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
-
The books' massive success made a film adaptation inevitable, eventually resulting in five blockbuster movies released between 2008 and 2012 (Breaking Dawn was stretched into two films because one epic finale just wasn't enough).—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
When the front door opens, they’re greeted by an androgynous person with longish hair, thick eyebrows and a deep voice.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
-
Pontiac’s Firebird had a longish life in car years, with four generations spanning 1967 to 2002.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
The Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into the Pretti shooting, US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Friday.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Brooklyn native Richard Beavers opened his eponymous Bed-Stuy gallery in 2007 with a mission to promote diverse works for contemporary art.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outstretched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretched. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
