stretched 1 of 2

past tense of stretch
1
2
as in pulled
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure I stretched a back muscle, and the pain is killing me

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in lengthened
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
5
as in tightened
to draw tight if the canvas isn't properly stretched over the frame, there will be sagging over time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stretched

2 of 2

adjective

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 stretched
Verb
Despite this pullback, the stock still trades at a stretched nine times trailing revenue—well above its historical average of three times. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The win over O’Malley stretched his winning streak to 11 straight. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 On Tuesday, the alert stretched from South Haven, Michigan, to Ludington, Michigan. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 In Turkey, a state of emergency after a coup attempt stretched into years, consolidating power at the top. Aron Solomon september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025 As the fiber is stretched down to about 100 micrometers in diameter, the hollow spaces are pressurized to preserve the structure. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025 Much of the cast is underdeveloped; an improbable misunderstanding about Mare’s sexuality is somehow stretched into a multi-episode story line. Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025 The bullying stretched on for about two years — until the FBI cracked the case. Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025 His latest issue was a knee injury that required clean-up surgery, followed by a recovery period that stretched into training camp. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025 The crowd stretched for approximately half a block. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretched
Verb
  • The young family were the only people on the block who elected to ride out the storm, believing the stark warnings were being exaggerated.
    Curtis Bunn, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Stories of Clough’s boozing have been exaggerated over the years, to the detriment of the man who led Forest to back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Mahomes pulled the Chiefs within one in the third quarter.
    Jesse Newell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The drawstring waist is adjustable and has a stretchy waistband for improved comfort even when pulled tight.
    Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • To improve safety, the transportation division has lengthened no passing zones and added flashing yellow beacons to no passing zones signs, Ronaldson said.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
  • These changes are usually framed in terms of climate change, which has lengthened fire seasons and weakened ecosystems in complex ways.
    River Selby August 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Still, Mares-Sedillo went to work and tried to go about her day.
    Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Keough said her grandmother tried to settle Lisa Marie's estate less than 24 hours after her death in 2023.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Manhattan's overall availability rate fell to 15%, the lowest since January 2021 and the 18th consecutive month that its availability rate remained stable or tightened.
    Diana Olick, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Lawmakers also recently tightened the state’s background check requirements.
    Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Digestive problems, such as an enlarged esophagus or colon, can lead to trouble eating or going to the bathroom.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Between 20% and 30% of people who contract Chagas disease could develop serious heart or digestive problems, risk getting an enlarged heart, colon or esophagus, or risk heart failure or cardiac arrest, per the CDC.
    Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The hosts padded their lead in the fourth.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The Phillies padded his start with an extra day in an attempt to change something.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The cells extended nerve fibers in both directions, toward the head and tail, to connect with the host spinal tissue.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The takeaway came one play after the Cowboys’ drive was extended by a personal foul on Eagles safety Reed Blankenship on a third-and-22.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stretched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretched. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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