1
as in expanses
a wide space or area
a narrow stretch of beach below the cliffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in whiles
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
as in ranges
the distance or extent between possible extremes
the stories were written over a considerable stretch of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in distances
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 exaggerates
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 lengthens
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 tries
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
your whining is stretching my patience to the limit
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 stretches
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Caglianone also went through some difficult stretches.
—Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
There are a bunch of different stretches that incorporate plantar flexion (scope some examples here).
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 3 Sep. 2025
My blood pressure is always a little high and sleep only comes in short stretches, never six hours or longer.
—Kim Gordon, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
Not all the 43 kids who started either at the headwaters of the Wood River or farther down the Klamath River completed every mile; some stretches of the Klamath are whitewater rapids.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
From the relaxed vibes and surfing waves of Folly Beach to the jaw-dropping beachfront homes along Sullivan’s Island, several top-tier stretches of coast tempt local Charlestonians and visitors alike.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2025
There are few actors whose disembodied voices could carry long stretches of cinema, but Dafoe manages it, turning monologues about marionette mechanics or muttered complaints about hotel politics into something weirdly magnetic.
—Leila Latif, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
Ivy cascades from black metal balconies, a tree anchors the center, and seating stretches across the open-air space.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
The 11-story observation tower has two decks, one at 26 feet and the other at 126 feet, giving a view that stretches into Warren and Butler counties and downtown Cincinnati.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Sep. 2025
Construction at the site, which stretches over 3,000 acres, has been suspended, but there was no interruption at the adjacent EV manufacturing facility.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Jennifer Lopez may be Jenny from the Block back in the Bronx, but these days her block stretches from Beverly Hills and Bel Air to Miami and the Hamptons.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025
Addressing offshore challenges Offshore energy infrastructure stretches for millions of miles beneath the ocean.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Battery life stretches long enough for a full day outdoors, and charging your phone from it is a bonus.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
With the ambulance only eight minutes away from Hind, Omar sees only insanity in the way the situation stretches into an hours-long ordeal.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
Perhaps brand loyalists don’t care, but the GLC 63 E stretches pricing norms, even by luxury standards.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
Gold has historically been considered a refuge during times of economic volatility, with investors flocking to the metal during stretches of inflation, fiat currency risks and political crises.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Caglianone also went through some difficult stretches.
—Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
There are a bunch of different stretches that incorporate plantar flexion (scope some examples here).
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 3 Sep. 2025
My blood pressure is always a little high and sleep only comes in short stretches, never six hours or longer.
—Kim Gordon, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
Not all the 43 kids who started either at the headwaters of the Wood River or farther down the Klamath River completed every mile; some stretches of the Klamath are whitewater rapids.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
From the relaxed vibes and surfing waves of Folly Beach to the jaw-dropping beachfront homes along Sullivan’s Island, several top-tier stretches of coast tempt local Charlestonians and visitors alike.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2025
There are few actors whose disembodied voices could carry long stretches of cinema, but Dafoe manages it, turning monologues about marionette mechanics or muttered complaints about hotel politics into something weirdly magnetic.
—Leila Latif, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
Ivy cascades from black metal balconies, a tree anchors the center, and seating stretches across the open-air space.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
The younger Burnett will lead a ward that stretches from Cabrini Green and the future Bally’s Casino site to the soaring Fulton Market district and struggling Garfield Park.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
The 11-story observation tower has two decks, one at 26 feet and the other at 126 feet, giving a view that stretches into Warren and Butler counties and downtown Cincinnati.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Sep. 2025
Construction at the site, which stretches over 3,000 acres, has been suspended, but there was no interruption at the adjacent EV manufacturing facility.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Jennifer Lopez may be Jenny from the Block back in the Bronx, but these days her block stretches from Beverly Hills and Bel Air to Miami and the Hamptons.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025
Addressing offshore challenges Offshore energy infrastructure stretches for millions of miles beneath the ocean.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Battery life stretches long enough for a full day outdoors, and charging your phone from it is a bonus.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
With the ambulance only eight minutes away from Hind, Omar sees only insanity in the way the situation stretches into an hours-long ordeal.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
Perhaps brand loyalists don’t care, but the GLC 63 E stretches pricing norms, even by luxury standards.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretches
Noun
-
Backcountry exploration When people seek a break from the pace of modern life and the demands of being digitally connected, national parks contain expanses of backcountry, where signs of civilization are sparse, and where profound natural beauty, adventure and solitude are still available.—
Jeffrey C. Hallo,
The Conversation,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Much of the rest of the hike was dry and traversed gentle gravel bars or smooth limestone expanses, skirting the edges of grassy bluffs and rocky cliffs.—
Eva Frederick,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
According to the standard sentencing ranges in Missouri, charges of voluntary manslaughter and first offense for armed criminal action have a maximum of 15 years in prison on each charge.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Your audience needs details, not ranges.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This mechanism explains why PAH emission is detectable at such vast distances from the galaxy, according to the statement.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Visibility may drop suddenly and over short distances.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The fact that the company exaggerates the job numbers, as well as the true number of states where the plane produces a significant number of jobs does not alter the fact that economic arguments carry a lot of weight in Congressional decisions on weapons procurement.—
William Hartung,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Mandel criticized the media for accepting Hamas’s claims at face value, which exaggerates the crisis and undermines non-Hamas aid efforts.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Early’s script pulls from TV movies like Kate’s Secret and Perfect Body, while also referencing classic cinema like Suddenly, Last Summer and The Children’s Hour.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The Farktop Trench Coat is a true fall staple that instantly pulls an outfit together and makes even sweats look polished.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While ChatGPT may initially recommend suicide hotlines, the AI could later give harmful answers as the conversation lengthens.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Kneeling Lunge with Side Bend This move lengthens your iliopsoas, a muscle group that helps flex the hips and connects to the lower back.—
Jenny McCoy,
Outside,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Thus, Last Rites tries a new trick, with the doll growing in size and chasing Judy down a hallway, in a sequence that is strangely reminiscent of Five Nights At Freddy's.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Everyone who shows up to his office tries to make one of his dreams come true.—
Debbie Day,
EW.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Although the brand shares that the formula tightens skin, my face felt balanced, refreshed, and hydrated.—
Tatayana Yomary,
Essence,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The Persons and Family Code law, making Burkina Faso the latest in a series of African countries to criminalize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activity, also tightens rules on nationality and stateless people.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stretches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretches. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share