stretch 1 of 5

stretch

2 of 5

verb (1)

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 5

adjective (1)

stretch (out)

4 of 5

verb (2)

as in to expand
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area you can't stretch out your legs to the point where you're blocking the aisle

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stretchy

5 of 5

adjective (2)

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
Only the Nationals, Rockies and Mets – New York’s other catastrophe – have been worse over that latter stretch. Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2025 And nine games in that stretch will be against teams that currently hold a playoff spot. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
In Thursday’s 30-pitch session, Sale faced utility infielder Jonathan Ornelas and left-handed-hitting minor leaguer Eric Hartman as other Braves stretched and warmed up before batting practice. David O'Brien, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025 Each morning, an Apres Sleep Cart is at your service, providing healing tinctures, stretch cards, and facial mists. Ronny Maye, Essence, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
And with plenty of outer compartments—including a stretch water bottle pocket—I’m not left rummaging around for my keys or passport at every turn. Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2025 While solid state seems to be a bit of a stretch goal for the industry, Lee says his company is looking closely at an alternative to commonly used lithium-ion—an amalgam of nickel, cobalt and manganese, or NCM, as well as a lower nickel percentage version. Ed Garsten, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
  • As K-pop revs up its global expansion, one of the sleepers is the bubbly girl group STAYC, whose songs possess a fun-house exuberance (The Theatre at M.S.G.; Oct. 21).
    Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The capital will also support geographic expansion.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Anderson brought the buyer and seller together in like-minded negotiation, with the new owners committed to fully restoring Bull Head Lodge back to its original state and the desire to share the space as a preserved artifact with the arts community once that is complete.
    Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Estate sales are typically large cleanouts of entire homes, businesses, rental properties, or office spaces, where everything must be sold.
    Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Even the lower end of that spectrum is considerably larger than the most lucrative contract the Cubs have dished out in team history (Jason Heyward $184 million).
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Over the week of campaign stops, a range of officials from across the Democratic political spectrum voiced their support for the candidate.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Grandma Blue crossed the distance between them and raised her stick to hit him.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But the Connector will run through a critical portion of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, an 18-million-acre expanse of state land that provides habitat for many fragile plants and animals, said Jason Lauritsen, the chief conservation officer with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation.
    Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
  • My route from the airport passed thick cornfields, lush trees, and expanses of green grass.
    Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Try the alfredo — and keep your eyes peeled for spaghetti Dasha Barbours customers who haven’t been in for a while might notice a new main entree offering: Seafood Fettuccine Pasta, served with lobster tail and shrimp.
    Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Two of the most prominent names in AI, Sam Altman and Elon Musk have been at odds with each other for a while now.
    Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Powell was one of only six NBA players last season to average at least 21 points while shooting better than 48% from the field and 40% from three-point range.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Self-care encompasses a wide range of activities, practices, and rituals, so begin by setting your intention for your time off.
    Essence, Essence, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Our test car was fitted with the gigantic (420 mm front, 410 mm rear) carbon ceramic brakes, and at the rear, the center lock wheels are 11.5 inches in width.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The contemporary jewelry brand delivers a range of band widths, textures, and styles that are perfect for layering up.
    Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.

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