as in enlarged
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1
as in exaggerated
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
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
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4
as in tried
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
your whining is stretching my patience to the limit
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Recent Examples of stretched
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
It’s formulated with calcium to promote new cell growth, adenosine to fill in wrinkles, collagen to maintain your skin’s density and thickness, elastin to restore stretched skin, and Vitamin D for rejuvenation.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
America’s health care system is straining under the twin pressures of an aging population and a stretched pool of health care providers.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
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
Jamie Leary, CBS News, 23 May 2026
Evans went on to become a beloved figure in daytime television, building a career that has stretched across generations of viewers.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
The supply chain is stretched, and the Ultra needs new components with a level of complexity Apple has never addressed at scale before.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
City stretched the play better than almost any side in football history.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 May 2026
The investigation quickly stretched across Brazil and the United States.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 22 May 2026
Blackouts stretched for much of the day.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 21 May 2026
Overcrowded shelters, limited spay-and-neuter access and a shortage of foster homes have created a system stretched beyond capacity.
—Arkansas Online, 17 May 2026
Britain answered with a couple of goals through David Clements and Liam Kirk 37 seconds apart still in the first period before Austria stretched the lead with two more goals in the second when the newcomer was restricted to only two shots on goal.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
Adjective
Once activated, the Fe-SMA bars aim to shrink back to their pre-stretched shape.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
It’s formulated with calcium to promote new cell growth, adenosine to fill in wrinkles, collagen to maintain your skin’s density and thickness, elastin to restore stretched skin, and Vitamin D for rejuvenation.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
America’s health care system is straining under the twin pressures of an aging population and a stretched pool of health care providers.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
The dispute has stretched on for roughly 18 months, with neighbors repeatedly appearing at Wheat Ridge City Council meetings asking for changes.
—Jamie Leary, CBS News, 23 May 2026
Evans went on to become a beloved figure in daytime television, building a career that has stretched across generations of viewers.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
The supply chain is stretched, and the Ultra needs new components with a level of complexity Apple has never addressed at scale before.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
City stretched the play better than almost any side in football history.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 May 2026
The investigation quickly stretched across Brazil and the United States.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 22 May 2026
Blackouts stretched for much of the day.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 21 May 2026
Overcrowded shelters, limited spay-and-neuter access and a shortage of foster homes have created a system stretched beyond capacity.
—Arkansas Online, 17 May 2026
Britain answered with a couple of goals through David Clements and Liam Kirk 37 seconds apart still in the first period before Austria stretched the lead with two more goals in the second when the newcomer was restricted to only two shots on goal.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretched
Adjective
-
Her brother Jansen began using drugs at some point in his teens and died of an enlarged heart in 2023.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
-
During Coulier's six-month checkup and PET scans after his first diagnosis, doctors discovered a flare-up had returned as an enlarged tumor.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
City officials say telecom companies have exaggerated the impact of that city law.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Goldman Sachs’ David Mericle suggests this reading has perhaps been exaggerated.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ starting pitcher Wednesday, was also pulled from the Dodgers’ blowout win Tuesday after he was hit on the right hand by a changeup.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
-
In his first at-bat after the meeting, Ruiz pulled a double into right field.—
Spencer Nusbaum,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Ukraine has lengthened its striking arm and is now wreaking havoc across European Russia, much of which is now vulnerable to drone attacks.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Over the past several decades, as global temperatures have risen, the growing season has lengthened in many parts of North America.—
Levi Keller,
The Conversation,
5 May 2026
Verb
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He was armed with a knife and was not compliant when arriving officers tried to detain him but eventually was arrested after officers tasered him, according to authorities.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
-
Neither the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, which tried Young, nor his attorney, Candice Shoemaker, immediately responded to requests for comment Wednesday evening.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Several airlines have tightened rules around portable power packs, which can pose a fire risk.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
-
Unlike traditional denim that fits one minute and not the next, these jeans have a stretchy elastic waistband with an adjustable drawstring that can easily be loosened after a big meal or tightened to ensure a secure fit.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
Some have wider straps, others more padded footbeds.—
Lidia Maseres,
Glamour,
27 May 2026
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The run game was emphasized heavily throughout the non-padded workout and the pass game was varied, with a mix of deep shots and intermediate throws.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Georgia completely froze its gas tax in March for two months and has extended its freeze as the conflict with Iran continues.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
28 May 2026
-
Some players stand to make more money, or at least have their contract extended sooner, by earning certain honors during specific seasons.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stretched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretched. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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