stretch 1 of 3

Definition of stretchnext

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
Dobrev’s choice also landed during a busy stretch for Manolo Blahnik. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 30 June 2026 The state Department of Transportation planned to add toll lanes to an 11-mile stretch of I-77 from uptown to the South Carolina state line, and local officials approved a public-private partnership to pay for it in 2024. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026
Verb
Almost daily long-range attacks on Russian oil facilities have created a fuel crisis and heaped political pressure on the Kremlin as its all-out invasion of Ukraine stretches into its fifth year. Dasha Litvinova, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 The fair stretched on, plagued by bad weather, low attendance and bad reviews. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 1 July 2026
Adjective
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, 6 June 2026 The new assembly line will start with production of the 737 Max 10, a stretch version of the single aisle plane that is expected to be certified by the FAA before the end of the year, clearing the way for the first 737 Max 10 deliveries. Phil Lebeau,meghan Reeder, CNBC, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
  • The state expansion also means protection for the rare riparian forest.
    Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • The University of Pittsburgh’s record-setting growth is reshaping both its campus and Oakland, as the university leans into a long-term expansion plan that adds student beds, new facilities and economic heft to one of Pennsylvania’s busiest urban districts.
    Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • As adult influencers dominate online fashion culture, and tweens and teens see the same content as adults, there are fewer spaces for young people to develop styles of their own.
    Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 2 July 2026
  • Delta has bid for and appears to be the likely winner for control of two gates, the ticketing lobby and support space previously controlled by Spirit Airlines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
    Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Both parents were employed and had health insurance, but neither Casper — who Leyton noted was nonverbal and likely on the autism spectrum — nor his younger sister received medical care, according to the report.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2026
  • On the other end of the spectrum was a nightmarish third inning in which the hosts scored 10 runs.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • During a 2002 visitor survey, though, the majority of day-use visitors reported hiking 10 miles or less, and the most common distance hiked was 5 miles, Patterson reports.
    Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 26 June 2026
  • Keep a distance from high profile vehicles such as trucks, buses and vehicles towing trailers.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • The four-time Olympian was not exaggerating.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • Many of the studies exaggerate the amount in human organs, the European officials concluded.
    Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Fire alarms sounded after a resident pulled the alarm, prompting crews to evacuate buildings as a precaution.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Sorloth played high, facilitating Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard to rotate wide and pull deeper to get on the ball.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • These large-range movements keep your body moving through the stretch, shortening and lengthening your muscles.
    Hannah Harper, Health, 1 July 2026
  • The hunting season has been lengthened by nearly two months, and there is no bag limit on does.
    Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Anthropic and the administration have been meeting to try and resolve the issue.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
  • Suited for layering, try this classic tee for weekends away or long vacations abroad.
    Sarah DiMuro, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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