Synonyms of stretch

stretch 1 of 3

noun

1

as in expansion

a wide space or area

a narrow stretch of beach below the cliffs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expansion
• expanse
• length
• reach
• distance
• plain
• sheet
• extent
• breadth
• spread
• field
• waste
• territory
• scope
• depth
• domain
• spectrum
• scale
• span
• extension
• sweep
• range
• sphere
• void
• gamut
• compass
• amplitude
• latitude
• magnitude
• emptiness
• immensity

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

• space
• while
• bit
• span
• spell
• season
• day
• minute
• lapse
• second
• split second
• era
• infinity
• spurt
• moment
• interval
• epoch
• shake
• instant
• trice
• beat
• nanosecond
• heartbeat
• twinkle
• jiffy
• interim
• perpetuity
• wink
• twinkling
• interlude
• intermission
• eternity
• eon
• flash
• age
• New York minute
• eyeblink
• jiff

3

as in spectrum

the distance or extent between possible extremes

the stories were written over a considerable stretch of time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spectrum
• range
• scale
• gamut
• spread
• width
• pitch
• scope
• diapason
• measure
• reach
• sweep
• extent
• realm
• amplitude
• ambit
• dimension(s)
• compass

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

• distance
• width
• length
• way
• spacing
• remove
• height
• lead
• spread
• space
• area
• extension
• extent
• scope
• throw
• depth
• reach
• range
• rise
• volume
• breadth
• altitude
• flight
• sweep
• drop
• cast
• shot
• clearance
• fall
• haul
• berth

stretch

2 of 3

verb

ˈstrech 

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

• exaggerate
• pad
• enhance
• expand
• color
• embellish
• embroider
• hyperbolize
• elaborate (on)
• satirize
• magnify
• emphasize
• enlarge (on or upon)
• stress
• flesh (out)
• amplify
• hedge
• overdo
• play up
• overemphasize
• overstate
• overdraw
• overplay
• gussy up
• dress up
• caricature
• fudge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minimize
• understate
• belittle
• play down

2

as in to pull

to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure

I stretched a back muscle, and the pain is killing me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pull
• damage
• strain
• hurt
• weaken
• bruise
• rack
• impair
• wrench
• fray
• tear
• wound
• tax
• harm
• cripple
• batter
• mangle
• mutilate
• lame

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

• lengthen
• extend
• increase
• prolong
• elongate
• draw out
• drag (out)
• expand
• protract
• outstretch
• enlarge
• thin
• amplify
• attenuate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cut
• shorten
• reduce
• cut back
• curtail
• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• abridge
• abbreviate
• thicken

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

• try
• push
• strain
• test
• get (to)
• tax
• bother
• annoy
• irritate
• pressure
• pain
• demand
• exact
• harass
• spite
• aggravate
• gnaw (at)
• press
• importune
• exasperate
• irk
• pester
• rile
• harry
• hassle
• vex
• agitate
• grate
• gall
• peeve
• nettle

5

as in to tighten

to draw tight

if the canvas isn't properly stretched over the frame, there will be sagging over time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tighten
• tense
• lengthen
• tauten
• elongate
• strain
• extend
• constrict
• cinch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loosen
• relax
• ease
• slack
• slacken

stretch

3 of 3

adjective

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

• flexible
• plastic
• stretchy
• elastic
• stretchable
• rubbery
• resilient
• rubberlike
• supple
• springy
• bouncy
• whippy
• adaptable
• pliant
• pliable
• ductile
• moldable
• malleable
• limber
• willowy
• kneadable
• lithe
• lissome
• lithesome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rigid
• stiff
• inelastic
• hard
• solid
• inflexible
• short
• firm
• compact
• nonelastic
• unyielding
• crisp
• brittle
• friable
• flaky
• crumbly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stretch

Noun

Many Americans still remember the spectacular April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocked the sun across a broad stretch of the United States. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Mid-August is typically when the tropics enters its busiest stretch, but any upcoming contenders for tropical development are going to be fighting an uphill battle to form and stay alive against El Niño’s influence. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Verb

The area under evacuation covered 16 square miles stretching from Partington Cove north to the Big Sur River Inn. — Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a linear park that stretches just over a mile through multiple Boston neighborhoods, including Chinatown, the Financial District, the Wharf District, and the North End. — Ashley Gardini, JSTOR Daily, 12 Aug. 2026

Adjective

In any case, Mahomes has taken pre-stretch snaps under center and also had seven-on-seven passes begin with that same setup. — Jesse Newell, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Pull-on trousers made of stretch fabric feel forgiving enough for hours in the air while looking far more refined than leggings. — Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2026

Phrases Containing stretch

• stretch (out)