1
as in expansion
a wide space or area
a narrow stretch of beach below the cliffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
3
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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 stretch
Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Arison took control of the Heat in 1995, helping to build an organization that’s considered one of the NBA’s most successful franchises during over that 30-year stretch.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 7 Sep. 2025
Guests are invited to soak in natural pools, bubbling hot springs, and a lake that stretches as far as the eye can see.
—Mia Taylor, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 July 2025
According to our expert, washing denim too often breaks down the fibers more quickly and that is especially true if the jeans have any stretch fibers in them, which many of them do.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Noun
This involves a deliberate strategy of job rotations, stretch assignments, coaching, and board exposure.
—Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Arison took control of the Heat in 1995, helping to build an organization that’s considered one of the NBA’s most successful franchises during over that 30-year stretch.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
But the latest nod to bearishness may be signs of consumers flocking to more off-price retailers such as TJ Maxx, Burlington Stores and Ross Stores in an effort to stretch their dollars.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 7 Sep. 2025
Guests are invited to soak in natural pools, bubbling hot springs, and a lake that stretches as far as the eye can see.
—Mia Taylor, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Dunaway should get stretch powers, because Hollywood is cruel about women aging and Mr. Fantastic’s power can be used like Botox (see also: Elasti-Woman on Doom Patrol).
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 July 2025
According to our expert, washing denim too often breaks down the fibers more quickly and that is especially true if the jeans have any stretch fibers in them, which many of them do.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
-
The expansion will also include more language support, with plans to increase access to consulting and capital assistance in Spanish and Marshallese, according to an organization news release.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Sacred Heart Schools announced a sweeping expansion to the Sacred Heart Academy campus focused on improving student facilities, expanding endowments to support scholarships and strengthening the school's annual fund.—
Ray Padilla,
The Courier-Journal,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
By now, many of you have heard that The Courier Journal is moving out of our historic office building and into a new space closer to the river this week.—
Ray Padilla,
The Courier-Journal,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Stradivarius and Pull&Bear both moved to larger spaces, and the group also debuted its first Bershka store.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Dimon said that JPMorgan is privy to a spectrum of data around consumers, corporations and global trade.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The film operates under the Primetime banner, neurodivergent actor-producer Victoria Emslie’s platform dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices across disability, gender, global majority and sexuality spectrums.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Such a short distance is considered well within reach of a basic marksman.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Jordan Morgan started at left guard and went the distance, while Anthony Belton and Darian Kennard alternated at right tackle.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In early 2025, the stock fell nearly 57% from February to April in the wake of a short-seller report that alleged the company had exaggerated its e-commerce performance and breached service terms.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
This performative solidarity was not appreciated by Saudi commentators who argued Egypt exaggerated the seriousness of Netanyahu's comments in a bid to drag Saudi Arabia in a confrontation with the Israelis for political reasons.—
Khaled Hassan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The group routinely calls for removing books at public schools and played a role in Scottsdale Unified School District's decision to pull 16 books from its library shelves in February.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The air fryer itself is easy to clean by pulling the trays out and wiping the inside with a wet cloth.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And the time required to develop new mines is, if anything, lengthening.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Turning for home, two-lengths in front, her stride continued to lengthen.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Then there were those epic Pac-12 shindigs, when Harbaugh was trying to resurrect the Stanford program and Carroll was pulling the levels during one of USC’s glory eras, with the advantage going to Harbaugh, 2-1.—
Jay Paris,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Through these tactics, Iftiu is trying to pay forward the generosity he's received within the system.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share