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
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
Adjective
The interruption to food assistance next month would be one of the most consequential impacts yet of a government shutdown that has now stretched into its fourth week. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025 After a contentious few weeks for city officials, Carmel passed its 2026 budget during a council meeting that stretched on for nearly four hours Monday night. Jake Allen, IndyStar, 22 Oct. 2025 Alongside the series of concerts, I was taken on a journey through STL’s food and art scene, with each moment revealing a new side of the city, leaving me with memories that stretched far beyond the music. Okla Jones, Essence, 22 Oct. 2025 That standoff stretched for 35 days, leading to the furlough of more than 350,000 federal workers and forcing 400,000 others to work without pay. Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Oct. 2025 With 132 players in the field and a par-71 layout now stretched to 7,421 yards, the stage is set for a high-scoring shootout. Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 Trottier has stretched that range’s equity into hair care, introducing shampoo and conditioner. James Manso, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025 Tight fabrics like leggings, T-shirts, yoga pants or any fabric that is stretched against your skin, aren’t stopping mosquitoes to poke through. Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 15 Oct. 2025 All of this lands on a middle class already stretched thin. Katica Roy, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretched
Verb
  • Machado also pushed back on suggestions that Venezuela’s role in drug trafficking had been exaggerated to support the argument of those calling for regime change.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Blazy exaggerated the frayed hems that Coco Chanel loved into ragged edges by letting the cloth be overtaken slowly with tiny hanging strings of beads.
    Nathan Heller, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The defendants have pulled every procedural lever to avoid being held responsible for their egregious actions.
    Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Alas, Israel has not pulled the trigger there, either, likely due in part to geopolitical instability — the MDSC would require construction in the West Bank.
    Big Think, Big Think, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His telomeres, protective caps on chromosomes, lengthened in space, only to shorten rapidly upon return.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The median age of survival since 1970 is 29 years and, while there is no cure and physical deterioration is inevitable, advancements in care have lengthened life expectancy.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In recent years, some Wyandotte residents have tried to get the government to delay or cancel its tax sales, which usually happen twice a year, to prevent people who have struggled to pay sky-rocketing property tax bills from losing their family homes.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Senate Democrats, joined by two Republicans, tried unsuccessfully last week to pass a resolution to stop the strikes, saying Trump is illegally using military force without lawmakers' permission.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this month, China significantly tightened its restrictions on rare earth elements, which make up a key input in semiconductors found in an array of products from cars to home appliances.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The garment tightened at the waist while the top hung relatively loosely, and the midi-length column featured a thigh-high slit.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the medical term for an enlarged prostate.
    MD Published, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Michael died at age 53 on Christmas morning in 2016 of natural causes, suffering from an enlarged heart and fatty liver disease.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • It’s lightly padded with memory foam that gives the cups some shape without sacrificing comfort.
    Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Manny Machado padded the lead with a two-run homer in the fifth inning.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • By then Carolina had extended its advantage to two thanks again to Jarvis, who capitalized on the visitors’ third power play – hooking by Jackson LaCombe – with a one-time wrist shot from the right circle for his sixth goal of the season.
    Josh Gross, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
  • McGee led me through moves like Pilates 100s, crunches with rows, and full crunches (with my legs extended).
    Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stretched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretched. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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