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.
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Recent Examples of stretch
Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Charles Tyrwhitt has a wide selection of options, and this Burlington Weave shirt offers a comfortable stretch and comes in seven colors for versatility.
—Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2025
The money must be spent within the TIF boundaries, which stretch half a mile east and west of the CTA’s Red and Purple lines between North and Devon avenues.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
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
Noun
As in literacy, the district wants spotlight students to meet a share of their stretch targets.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Charles Tyrwhitt has a wide selection of options, and this Burlington Weave shirt offers a comfortable stretch and comes in seven colors for versatility.
—Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
Aquamarine waters stretched before us as the sun settled into the horizon.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2025
The money must be spent within the TIF boundaries, which stretch half a mile east and west of the CTA’s Red and Purple lines between North and Devon avenues.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 22 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
-
Belmont University's Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business has opened the first of two phases of its $58 million Music Row expansion.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The capital will also support geographic expansion.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Ship is also supposed to deploy eight dummy versions of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites during its trip and perform an engine-relight test in space.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
For Ndiaye’s opener, the winger shimmied, finding space on the outside of his marker, before laying on an inch-perfect cross begging to be converted at the back post.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
24 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
Adjective
-
Further discussions in London and Stockholm made enough progress for the two sides this week to announce another extension of the ceasefire, with the White House praising Beijing for being cooperative and flexible in the negotiations to date.—
Scott Kennedy,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The company focuses on flexible plans without long-term contracts.—
Kara McGinley,
USA Today,
15 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
Cite this Entry
“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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