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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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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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
And rather than travel straight through a stretch between Houston and New Orleans, Osborne prefers to stop in Baton Rouge or take a day off. Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 24 June 2025 Originating in subtropical South America, jacarandas typically bloom around May and June, taking their cue from the season’s first stretch of consistent heat. Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
Verb
To this day, Ashe’s legacy still stretches way beyond the court, inspiring a new generation of athlete activists – some of whom are playing at Wimbledon this year. Matias Grez, CNN Money, 5 July 2025 The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area stretches across the 2.5-mile beach of the Kalma Peninsula. Se Eun Gong, NPR, 5 July 2025
Adjective
The ‘90s Forever Jeans come in both stretch and non-stretch options alongside a high-rise, relaxed fit that’s equally as casual as it is easily dressed up. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2025 The following year Turkish mill Bossa launched Endless Blue, a line of stretch denim fabrics made with the regenerated cellulose fiber. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
  • Four years ago advances were being made on many of the political issues popular with people whose political views ranged from progressive to centrist such as DEI, ESG, CSR, climate change, the expansion of alternative energy and foreign aid.
    David Hessekiel, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • The launch at Holt Renfrew and the expansion of the Blue Tab collection are just the beginning of the brand’s growth plans for Cananda.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Give emerging brands the ability to prove themselves in the digital world before asking them to fight for a few inches of shelf space.
    Joe Chura, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025
  • Vegetation is cleaned up to reduce potential wildfire fuel and create defensible space around park structures, trails and areas close to homes.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • For small businesses operating on tight cash flow, even the lower end of that spectrum can be devastating.
    AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • At one end of the spectrum, Ukraine’s audacious attacks at the beginning of June on Russian strategic bombers used drones operated from trucks deep inside Russian territory – a mission that took out about a dozen aircraft used to launch missiles against Ukraine.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Even on Zoom, the Wyoming sky is clearly in the background, with an expanse of ranch land stretching out into the distance.
    Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 1 July 2025
  • The president’s visit was signaled on Sunday, when the Federal Aviation Administration issued a VIP movement notification for Tuesday — an advisory that restricts flights within a distance typically reserved for the president.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Second, the extent of the controversies has often been exaggerated: a handful of Trump supporters have stuck their heads above the parapet, the media have sniffed drama and written up stories about friction, and nothing has ultimately changed.
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 27 June 2025
  • One has been associated with a group that exaggerates the rare risks and harms of vaccines while casting doubt on their benefits.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 25 June 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
  • Think a Wi-Fi enabled security camera, Kindle e-reader, an Anker power bank to lengthen your phone’s battery life, and more—no coupon needed.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 June 2025
  • For corporate treasury desks, this means hedging windows must lengthen and broaden.
    Guney Yildiz, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Connecting the dots here, Perez is clearly trying to take over Morgan’s spot as the commander-in-chief of Judgment Day.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • The Islanders are trying to build a Cup contender, not merely a team that competes for a playoff spot.
    Rob Rossi, New York Times, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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