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
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Recent Examples of stretch
Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
That critical stretch of Game 3 swung the Lakers’ postseason.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026
One source familiar with Secret Service operations said pushing the perimeter further away from the ballroom would have required additional staffing at a time when the agency was already stretched thin.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Malia Griggs, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2026
The Ribcage Wide-Leg jeans have a high-rise waist that’s right on trend, along with a leg-lengthening inseam and non-stretch denim that breaks in beautifully.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Noun
Getting to face the lowly Orlando Magic, who themselves are in the middle of their own stretch of subpar play since Dwight Howard left the building more than a decade earlier.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
That critical stretch of Game 3 swung the Lakers’ postseason.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Silk skirts are a staple of my travel wardrobe, taking up minimal suitcase space while stretching my outfit options.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026
One source familiar with Secret Service operations said pushing the perimeter further away from the ballroom would have required additional staffing at a time when the agency was already stretched thin.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The baggy straight-wide silhouette feels relaxed but still pulled together, with stretch denim and a drawstring waist for comfort.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2026
The Ribcage Wide-Leg jeans have a high-rise waist that’s right on trend, along with a leg-lengthening inseam and non-stretch denim that breaks in beautifully.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
-
In addition to the semi-private wait areas and a dedicated family lobby, the expansion also added five rooms designated for initial intake assessments and two dedicated procedure rooms.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
-
Tarleton State’s Fort Worth expansion plans come as several other Texas universities have also set their sights on improving their presence in the city.—
Samuel O’Neal
May 4,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
It is fitted out with a teaching kitchen, a podcast-production space, a large classroom called the Democracy in Action Lab, and a recording studio.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Jay Blackman Jay Blackman is an NBC News producer covering such areas as transportation, space, medical and consumer issues.—
Jay Blackman,
NBC news,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
At the opposite end of the spectrum are roses that are highly susceptible — losing vigor, producing fewer blooms, developing buds that ball up, and in some cases defoliating entirely.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
From sea to mountains, ingredients cover a spectrum of Okayama specialties, with creations inspired by the subtlest flavor shifts of Japan’s 72 micro-seasons (recent highlights ranged from arrowhead fish, Chinese cabbage, and foie gras to Okayama Nagi beef and turnip).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Despite decades of extensive research, covering the average distance of 140 million miles — orders of magnitude farther than the Moon — with a human crew remains a distant goal.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Across the way sits Sherwood Island State Park, and views stretch to the Long Island Sound in the near distance.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This was borrowed directly from American sports reporters, with their propensity to exaggerate to make a point, often by citing absurd numbers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Goldman Sachs’ David Mericle suggests this reading has perhaps been exaggerated.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the Moon moves into Sagittarius, your 12th House of Reflection becomes more active, pulling you inward to process before acting.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
The combination creates a vortex effect, which pulls hot ash, embers and debris into a spinning column.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
If the company ticks a few remaining boxes, the drug could soon be on sale, kick-starting a new era of longevity medicine that could eventually also lengthen humans’ lives.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
Osceola County, currently contained entirely within District 9, will be chopped into two districts despite 9 being lengthened and extended well to the south.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was charged with firearms offenses and trying to assassinate the president.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
-
Officials are still trying to determine what happened aboard the ship, which commands fares of up to $28,845 for a 46-day journey that includes a tour of the Antarctica Peninsula and stops in Tierra del Fuego on the southern edge of Argentina.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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