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
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
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
Paraguay wins after a marathon match that saw Germany live in the attacking third for large stretches of the game.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
Yoga and other stretches also benefit from the addition of ankle weights.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Combined with adaptive cruise control – which handles the braking and maintaining the distance from the car in front of you – the bZ can take over driving on long stretches of highway.
—
Brooke Crothers,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Adjusting your mowing practices during stretches of dry weather goes a long way toward protecting lawns from damage.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 June 2026
Last year, a Tribune analysis found gaps in the city’s cooling network, including the fact that in recent years, some of these spaces have closed during hot stretches around weekends and holidays, including the Juneteenth holiday last summer.
—
Evgenia Anastasakos,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
These are people who still carry within them memories of war, occupation, and stretches of extreme privation.
—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
28 June 2026
The challenge for leaders and organizations that ultimately leave a legacy are those that remain deeply committed to their vision through long stretches of uncertainty and invisible progress.
—
Melissa Dawn Simkins,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
The entire design grew around the Ficus Nitida, which stretches from the main deck through an oval void of approximately 172 square feet to the upper deck.
—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
30 June 2026
Shabo Winery, located near the village of Shabo, continues a winemaking tradition that stretches back more than 2,000 years while focusing on indigenous varieties like Telti-Kuruk.
—
Emily Cappiello,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
The coastal district stretches from Palm Beach County down to Miami Beach.
—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
The primary to represent the upstate New York district, which stretches from the Canadian border to straddling the northern Albany suburbs, became increasingly bitter as Constantino and Smullen threatened legal action against each other over claims made during the campaign.
—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
The impact stretches beyond North Park.
—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
The president’s penchant for the palindromic number stretches back months.
—
David Hickey,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
The district, which stretches from Peachtree Corner to just north of Lawrenceville, has been comfortably Democratic since 2022, but Democrats worried the seat would flip to Republicans because the race would be decided in last week’s primary runoff election.
—
Sophia Eppley,
AJC.com,
22 June 2026
Noun
The state’s large population, high number of vehicles and long stretches of intense summer heat all contribute to the elevated risk.
—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
Paraguay wins after a marathon match that saw Germany live in the attacking third for large stretches of the game.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
Yoga and other stretches also benefit from the addition of ankle weights.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Combined with adaptive cruise control – which handles the braking and maintaining the distance from the car in front of you – the bZ can take over driving on long stretches of highway.
—
Brooke Crothers,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Adjusting your mowing practices during stretches of dry weather goes a long way toward protecting lawns from damage.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 June 2026
Last year, a Tribune analysis found gaps in the city’s cooling network, including the fact that in recent years, some of these spaces have closed during hot stretches around weekends and holidays, including the Juneteenth holiday last summer.
—
Evgenia Anastasakos,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
These are people who still carry within them memories of war, occupation, and stretches of extreme privation.
—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
28 June 2026
The challenge for leaders and organizations that ultimately leave a legacy are those that remain deeply committed to their vision through long stretches of uncertainty and invisible progress.
—
Melissa Dawn Simkins,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
Verb
Los Angeles stretches its NL West lead to 11 games and maintains MLB’s best record as Ohtani’s star power turns Sacramento’s nominal home crowd into a roaring Dodgers road show.
—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
The entire design grew around the Ficus Nitida, which stretches from the main deck through an oval void of approximately 172 square feet to the upper deck.
—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
30 June 2026
Shabo Winery, located near the village of Shabo, continues a winemaking tradition that stretches back more than 2,000 years while focusing on indigenous varieties like Telti-Kuruk.
—
Emily Cappiello,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
The coastal district stretches from Palm Beach County down to Miami Beach.
—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
The primary to represent the upstate New York district, which stretches from the Canadian border to straddling the northern Albany suburbs, became increasingly bitter as Constantino and Smullen threatened legal action against each other over claims made during the campaign.
—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
The impact stretches beyond North Park.
—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
The president’s penchant for the palindromic number stretches back months.
—
David Hickey,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
The district, which stretches from Peachtree Corner to just north of Lawrenceville, has been comfortably Democratic since 2022, but Democrats worried the seat would flip to Republicans because the race would be decided in last week’s primary runoff election.
—
Sophia Eppley,
AJC.com,
22 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretches
Noun
-
Surrounded by wide open expanses of the Santa Monica Mountains, this modern abode has a direct connection with its surroundings via the sliding doors and casement windows that swing open to beckon in fresh air and sunlight.
-
For example, the warmer temperatures in the El Niño region are happening in the context of warmer than normal temperatures across vast expanses in the Pacific.
Noun
-
UCHealth’s decision to postpone surgeries whiles staff addressed the sterilization problem stands out from other hospitals that have found themselves in similar situations.
Noun
-
Shah adds that many women feel their best when ferritin levels are at least between 40 and 70 ng/ml for optimal energy and hair health, even if lab ranges suggest lower levels are ‘normal’.
-
No other existing or planned telescope can observe through multiple ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum simultaneously on such short notice.
Noun
-
Instead of limiting where an electric bike can go, its folding design creates more opportunities to ride, making spontaneous adventures easier than ever while still providing the comfort needed for longer distances.
-
They’re also suited for specific boating environments, with canoeing most frequently seen in rivers, lakes, and shallower waters while sailboats are more tailored for wider distances and uses.
Verb
-
Drama hides a hero’s flaws; comedy exaggerates it.
-
Tristan Baker, head of performance at Go Perform, an athletics performance and coaching facility, and a former strength and conditioning coach at Reading, believes a still photograph exaggerates how unstable the movement appears.
Verb
-
Dembele’s pace stretches defenses, Olise has developed into one of Europe’s most creative playmakers and Barcola's intelligent movement constantly pulls defenders out of position.
-
As Otto groans, Rhaenrya pulls back and cleaves off Otto's head.
Verb
-
It’s made of soft pebbled leather with a fabric lining, and the adjustable strap lengthens to 22 inches to get the best fit.
-
Francisco Alvarez’s return lengthens the lineup.
Verb
-
The export ban and subsequent negotiations with Anthropic underscored the lack of a consistent regulatory framework around AI, even as the technology advances rapidly and the US tries to stay ahead of global competitors like China.
-
The most important move is to avoid anything inside the package that tries to pull you into another step.
Cite this Entry
“Stretches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretches. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
