Synonyms of stretch

stretch 1 of 3

noun

1

as in expansion

a wide space or area

a narrow stretch of beach below the cliffs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expansion
• expanse
• length
• reach
• distance
• plain
• sheet
• extent
• breadth
• spread
• field
• waste
• territory
• scope
• depth
• domain
• spectrum
• scale
• span
• extension
• sweep
• range
• sphere
• void
• gamut
• compass
• amplitude
• latitude
• magnitude
• emptiness
• immensity

2

as in space

an indefinite but usually short period of time

there was a cardinal at our bird feeder for a short stretch last spring

Synonyms & Similar Words

• space
• while
• bit
• span
• spell
• season
• day
• minute
• lapse
• second
• split second
• era
• infinity
• spurt
• moment
• interval
• epoch
• shake
• instant
• trice
• beat
• nanosecond
• heartbeat
• twinkle
• jiffy
• interim
• perpetuity
• wink
• twinkling
• interlude
• intermission
• eternity
• eon
• flash
• age
• New York minute
• eyeblink
• jiff

3

as in spectrum

the distance or extent between possible extremes

the stories were written over a considerable stretch of time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spectrum
• range
• scale
• gamut
• spread
• width
• pitch
• scope
• diapason
• measure
• reach
• sweep
• extent
• realm
• amplitude
• ambit
• dimension(s)
• compass

4

as in distance

the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects

the longest stretch of the drive without any place to get gas

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distance
• width
• length
• way
• spacing
• remove
• height
• lead
• spread
• space
• area
• extension
• extent
• scope
• throw
• depth
• reach
• range
• rise
• volume
• breadth
• altitude
• flight
• sweep
• drop
• cast
• shot
• clearance
• fall
• haul
• berth

stretch

2 of 3

verb

ˈstrech 

1

as in to exaggerate

to add to the interest of by including made-up details

it was stretching the truth to say she'd been in the movies: she was once an extra whose scene was cut in the final version

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exaggerate
• pad
• enhance
• expand
• color
• embellish
• embroider
• hyperbolize
• elaborate (on)
• satirize
• magnify
• emphasize
• enlarge (on or upon)
• stress
• flesh (out)
• amplify
• hedge
• overdo
• play up
• overemphasize
• overstate
• overdraw
• overplay
• gussy up
• dress up
• caricature
• fudge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minimize
• understate
• belittle
• play down

2

as in to pull

to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure

I stretched a back muscle, and the pain is killing me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pull
• damage
• strain
• hurt
• weaken
• bruise
• rack
• impair
• wrench
• fray
• tear
• wound
• tax
• harm
• cripple
• batter
• mangle
• mutilate
• lame

3

as in to lengthen

to make longer

the time it would take to fix the car got stretched from three hours to two days when the part we needed had to be ordered

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lengthen
• extend
• increase
• prolong
• elongate
• draw out
• drag (out)
• expand
• protract
• outstretch
• enlarge
• thin
• amplify
• attenuate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cut
• shorten
• reduce
• cut back
• curtail
• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• abridge
• abbreviate
• thicken

4

as in to try

to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress

your whining is stretching my patience to the limit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• try
• push
• strain
• test
• get (to)
• tax
• bother
• annoy
• irritate
• pressure
• pain
• demand
• exact
• harass
• spite
• aggravate
• gnaw (at)
• press
• importune
• exasperate
• irk
• pester
• rile
• harry
• hassle
• vex
• agitate
• grate
• gall
• peeve
• nettle

5

as in to tighten

to draw tight

if the canvas isn't properly stretched over the frame, there will be sagging over time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tighten
• tense
• lengthen
• tauten
• elongate
• strain
• extend
• constrict
• cinch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loosen
• relax
• ease
• slack
• slacken

stretch

3 of 3

adjective

as in flexible

able to revert to original size and shape after being stretched, squeezed, or twisted

stretch fabrics that don't wrinkle or sag

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flexible
• plastic
• stretchy
• elastic
• stretchable
• rubbery
• resilient
• rubberlike
• supple
• springy
• bouncy
• whippy
• adaptable
• pliant
• pliable
• ductile
• moldable
• malleable
• limber
• willowy
• kneadable
• lithe
• lissome
• lithesome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rigid
• stiff
• inelastic
• hard
• solid
• inflexible
• short
• firm
• compact
• nonelastic
• unyielding
• crisp
• brittle
• friable
• flaky
• crumbly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stretch

Noun

The defensive highlights limited the Padres to just one run through two innings, despite them totaling five hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch against McLean in that stretch. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026

The gap years are the rare stretch when a household holds the pen. — Dana Dunkelberger, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

So when the 36-year-old was pronounced dead in a South Carolina apartment on Sunday, shock and grief stretched around the world. — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

The car turns onto a dark road that, to the youngsters’ growing unease, appears to stretch on forever through an infinite forest. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Adjective

In any case, Mahomes has taken pre-stretch snaps under center and also had seven-on-seven passes begin with that same setup. — Jesse Newell, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Pull-on trousers made of stretch fabric feel forgiving enough for hours in the air while looking far more refined than leggings. — Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2026

Phrases Containing stretch

• stretch (out)