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
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
Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Several homeowners told the Observer increases billed as temporary stayed in place for long stretches of time in past cases.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026
This means the real cost of federal troop deployment was higher than calculated, but didn’t stretch all the way back to June.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025
Outside of a stretch routine suitable for an Olympic gymnast, India Bradley maintains consistency in her self-care habits.
—Malik Peay, Essence, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Noun
In that 12 minute stretch, Cleveland outscored Orlando 39-24 to take a five-point lead heading into the half.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Several homeowners told the Observer increases billed as temporary stayed in place for long stretches of time in past cases.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
These cycles stretch for hours, interrupted only by meal times and occasional group check-ins.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026
This means the real cost of federal troop deployment was higher than calculated, but didn’t stretch all the way back to June.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
New research shows men and women are equally committed to doing their best at work, but there’s a growing ambition gap among women who want to get ahead — and companies rolling back commitments to women’s career advancement, sponsorship and stretch opportunities could be to blame.
—Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025
Outside of a stretch routine suitable for an Olympic gymnast, India Bradley maintains consistency in her self-care habits.
—Malik Peay, Essence, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
-
Howard, who had served as a second lieutenant with the Ninety‑Second Division, 366th Infantry in France during World War I, accused President Truman of using the Cold War to justify a sweeping peacetime expansion of America’s global military footprint.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
India is positioning itself as the testbed where energy infrastructure meets AI expansion.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The queen of maximalist beauty also once again demonstrated her expertise in the makeup and hair space by playing with her copper-red locks, debuting curly bangs and mermaid braids among her soft waves.—
Pamela Vázquez,
Glamour,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Future cap space is valued at a premium these days.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Included in the batch were records concerning some of Epstein's famous associates, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Britain's Prince Andrew, as well as email correspondence between Epstein and Elon Musk and other prominent contacts from across the political spectrum.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Included in the batch were records concerning some of Epstein’s famous associates, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Britain’s Prince Andrew, as well as email correspondence between Epstein and Elon Musk and other prominent contacts from across the political spectrum.—
Eric Tucker,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Speed Skating 500m and Team Pursuit will also give medals in speed skating sprint distances (including the men’s 500m and women’s 500m) on February 10, with team pursuit finals to follow later in the Games.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The researchers also observed superconductivity in flexible films made from niobium carbide nanoscrolls.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Jan. 2026
-
More companies are dialing back flexible work schedules and mandating that employees return to the office part-time or full-time, forcing women into tough situations.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Located on Siesta Key near downtown Sarasota on the state's west coast, this kid-friendly beach has a wide expanse of soft, powdery white, quartz-crystal sand that somehow doesn’t get hot in the Florida sun.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
-
It’s perfectly situated for wanders down the beautiful expanse of Flamand beach or hikes to the highest point of the island.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Bettmann Archive Mechanized agriculture has been around for a while.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The Memphis area is not expected to get above freezing temperatures for multiple days, so the snow on the ground might hang around for a while.—
Brooke Muckerman,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Their new approach enables micro- and nanoscale 3D fabrication using a wide range of materials, moving beyond polymers and opening new design possibilities.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The awards exist to sort through that range and highlight the bottles that best represent each style.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
