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

Certainly, by lifting part of the museum off the ground, invoking the freeway and framing the long stretch of Wilshire, Zumthor has constructed a worthy metonym for LA. — Katy Barkan, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Build One Capability Beyond Your Current Role Build one capability beyond the current role through a deliberate stretch assignment, cross-functional project, certification or external contribution. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Verb

External forces such as stretching, pressure, or temperature can slightly alter the glass's physical and optical properties, making these forces measurable by tracking changes in the light passing through the optical fiber. — Pawel Maniewski, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026

But the Venezuela deal further stretches the bounds of its mandate, involving oil instead of a classic critical technology, and has already prompted Democrats to vow to investigate. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Currently, this spandex is produced in South Korea, China, India and Turkey, and adding Brazil will provide a new Western Hemisphere sourcing option for these stretch fibers. — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026

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

Phrases Containing stretch

• stretch (out)