stretch 1 of 3

stretch

2 of 3

verb

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to pull
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure I stretched a back muscle, and the pain is killing me

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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

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4
5
as in to tighten
to draw tight if the canvas isn't properly stretched over the frame, there will be sagging over time

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stretch

3 of 3

adjective

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
Noun
Cardoso’s paintings are littered with artifacts to L.A.’s past and present: Mission Road, King Taco, LAX, wide stretches of the 101. Jason Parham, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will rightly be the major talking point from the blowout, capping a sublime three-game stretch in this series with a brilliant closeout performance. Shane Young, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
The Longhorns tacked on three more runs in the inning to stretch the advantage to 9-0. Kavan (23-4) went the distance, giving up six hits in seven innings with a walk and 5 strikeouts. Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 May 2025 Her late explosion was too much to come back from as the lead stretched to double digits again. Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Adjective
But farther up Doheny, a black sea of stretch limos and town cars flowed in and out of another, bigger, more raucous post-Oscar blowout still in full swing. Scott Huver, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025 Additionally, Korkmaz said stretch fabrics are making a strong comeback, reminiscent of the early 2000s, but reimagined with current technology. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
  • The list goes on… CT joins 19-state effort against Trump opposition to offshore wind energy Trump has moved to shut down renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, as expensive and unreliable, while supporting expansion of fossil fuel development.
    Dr. Jonathan Rosen, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2025
  • The explosions in Amritsar - the first heard there in the three-day-old conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors - could mark a further expansion in the hostilities that have alarmed world powers.
    USA Today, USA Today, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • Even small spaces can support amphibians and serve as important corridors that connect to larger green spaces, says Hua.
    Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
  • Even so, that doesn’t mean the individual spaces exist in vacuums.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • But critics across the political spectrum, including some Republicans, say the arrangement raises serious legal and constitutional questions—especially given Trump’s private business ties in the region and the shadow of past emoluments controversies.
    Nik Popli, Time, 12 May 2025
  • But that can really coexist on both sides of the political spectrum.
    Sean Illing, Vox, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 May 2025
  • Maintain a safe distance from water, wet items, and metal objects.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Coffey seemed to exaggerate it, throwing her hands up while going down.
    Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025
  • The movie exaggerates the struggles Scaravella faced.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Brands began to pull together resources to support refugees.
    Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
  • The 13-minute performance will likely call for a healthy dose of vibrant, colored lighting to pull it all together.
    Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 10 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • Improves Flexibility and Balance Traditional stretches typically involve moving or holding certain body parts in place to lengthen muscle fibers, which is a way to warm up the body.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 8 May 2025
  • Brown mascara is gaining traction for its ability to awaken the eyes and lengthen lashes subtly, without the harshness of a traditional black.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Boldly trying new recipes for dinner though neither knows how to cook.
    Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • Within a year people were trying to copy our business.
    Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 11 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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