outstretching

verb

present participle of outstretch
1
as in extending
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 lengthening
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstretching
  1. extending
  2. lengthening
  3. expanding
  4. stretching
  5. opening
  6. increasing
  7. unfolding
Verb
  • Currently, to meet the massive capital requirements of AI infrastructure, American tech giants are expanding financing channels into overseas markets like Europe while extending bond maturities.
    — , CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Dark black kohl rimmed her eyes before extending into a wing, in a style reminiscent of Egyptian royalty.
    — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of extending
Verb
  • Longini explained that climate change is increasing mosquito populations and lengthening their active seasons, contributing to dengue’s spread globally.
    — Alex DeLuca, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In both countries, falling fertility rates and lengthening lifespans keep worsening the fiscal picture.
    — NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of lengthening
Verb
  • Those options reportedly include tighter economic sanctions and expanding restrictions on Iranian trade.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • At a hearing last week, as Assembly committee discussed measures including eliminating the $750 million cap, allowing above-the-line expenses, expanding eligibility, and extending the sunset date.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of expanding
Verb
  • Watkins scored 11 points during a decisive third quarter in which USC outscored UNLV 31-10, stretching a 52-39 halftime lead to 83-49.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The National Weather Service temperature outlook for the next three months shows the likelihood of above-average temperatures stretching from the Pacific Northwest, through the Upper Midwest and right through the Northeast.
    — Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of stretching
Verb
  • The Wildcats struggled from outside in making just one of 13 three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Pugsley said neighbors stepped in to help, opening their home on higher ground.
    — Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of opening
Verb
  • Moon’s priorities for another term included expanding students’ access to mental health services, improving teacher recruitment and retention, and increasing career technical education opportunities.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Figma is increasing its focus on cybersecurity, said Dylan Field, Figma's co-founder and CEO.
    — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of increasing
Verb
  • From early starts to days unfolding in offices, studios and city streets, the campaign brings together Hoka’s focus on comfort, performance and movement with Marni’s creative approach to personal style.
    — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The unrest is unfolding as France’s campaign to choose Macron’s successor gathers pace, with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen leading the race.
    — Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of unfolding
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.

Browse Nearby Words

outstretches
outstretching
outstrip
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outstretching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretching. Accessed 8 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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of cockamamie

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
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

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
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