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 future of the presidency seemed a world away during a hilly 20-mile stretch of the ride on Saturday, which included an elevation gain of more than 1,300 feet (395 meters). —ABC News, 9 June 2026

Riding through the hills of rural New Hampshire The future of the presidency seemed a world away during a hilly 20-mile stretch of the ride on Saturday, which included an elevation gain of more than 1,300 feet. —Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026

Verb

The new material can stretch up to nine times its original length without losing its electrochemical performance. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026

Mills are also looking for ways to help stretch denim align closer to their sustainable goals. —Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 3 June 2026

Adjective

Her final piece is a neon legging and bra set made from stretch mesh. —Kaio Cesar, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026

This stretch crepe set delivers polished structure without sacrificing comfort. —Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026

Phrases Containing stretch

• stretch (out)