1
as in expansion
a wide space or area
a narrow stretch of beach below the cliffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
3
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in stretch
able to revert to original size and shape after being stretched, squeezed, or twisted
a stretchy hair band
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of stretch
Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 30 May 2025
The days of driving long stretches and stopping at no-frills rest stops are replaced with pre-planned breaks and roadside activities.
—Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 30 May 2025
Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Seven of the city’s 10 hottest summers on record occurred during the last 10 years, according to the federal data, which stretches back to 1948.
—Phillip Reese, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 Apr. 2025
The reality is, high performers thrive on stretch goals.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Noun
The two-way stretch fabric is water-repellent and slightly ribbed, with a lightweight feel that’s perfect for summer (or sweating in a dance studio, presumably).
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 30 May 2025
The days of driving long stretches and stopping at no-frills rest stops are replaced with pre-planned breaks and roadside activities.
—Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 30 May 2025
Verb
Replenish mulches to stretch the time between waterings. 39.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Seven of the city’s 10 hottest summers on record occurred during the last 10 years, according to the federal data, which stretches back to 1948.
—Phillip Reese, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
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
The reality is, high performers thrive on stretch goals.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
-
SpaceX is moving ahead with expansion plans at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, that will double its West Coast launch cadence and enable Falcon Heavy rockets to fly from California, Spaceflight Now reports.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
23 May 2025
-
The legislation would implement work requirements for adults enrolled in Medicaid expansion and increase the frequency of eligibility checks to ensure people still qualify for the program.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Staff and administration buildings were hit, and barracks with beds, bathrooms and dining spaces were torn apart.—
Gael Langdon,
Arkansas Online,
1 June 2025
-
Deloitte effectively signaled its entry into the intercollegiate athletics space last July by co-sponsoring the annual convention of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
At the opposite spectrum of the sombre tone and palette of Ritual of the Ancestors and Rites of Passage are a pair of sensual canvases titled Adoration of the Earth which depict a naked woman languishing in a field of dancing sunflowers.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Consumers should use a sunscreen labelled SPF 30 or higher with broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Flowers kept his distance the following summer and got a job at Charlestown Senior Living in Catonsville.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
29 May 2025
-
Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
The highest per capita death toll occurred in Yancey County, a rural expanse in the rugged Black Mountains of North Carolina devastated by flash flooding and landslides.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
ProPublica,
21 May 2025
-
Meanwhile the darker expanses of Oceanus Procellarum (Ocean of Storms) and the surrounding lunar maria (which is Latin for seas) will dominate the north west of the moon's tidally locked disk, according to NASA.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
According to a previous police statement, Pheobe had been living at a residence in Gin Gin for a while.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
27 May 2025
-
Miller was on the ground in pain for a while after the collision.—
Ethan Westerman,
Arkansas Online,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
Speaking after days of Russia bombarding the Ukrainian capital and other regions with massive aerial attacks, the German chancellor said Monday that his country and other allies had lifted range restrictions.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
-
Delta also gives us a ballpark range that an option has of expiring in the money, giving it value.—
Michael Martin,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
Our testers looked at the thickness and width of the band, padding, underwiring, and how well the bra was able to stay up throughout the day without slipping.—
Michelle Rostamian,
People.com,
22 May 2025
-
His hand length was 9¾ inches, and his hand width was 9 inches.—
Andy Theobald,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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