STRETCHES Synonyms: 207 Similar and Opposite Words

stretches 1 of 2

noun

plural of stretch

as in expanses

a wide space or area a narrow stretch of beach below the cliffs

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Relevance

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

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as in ranges

the distance or extent between possible extremes the stories were written over a considerable stretch of time

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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

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stretches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of stretch

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pulls

to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure I stretched a back muscle, and the pain is killing me

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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

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as in tries

to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress your whining is stretching my patience to the limit

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as in tightens

to draw tight if the canvas isn't properly stretched over the frame, there will be sagging over time

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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

Noun

That sequence would be remembered as one of the more famous, hilarious stretches in recent golf history, maybe even the core memory of Spieth’s ever-entertaining prime. — Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 July 2026 The Derby's public address announcer implored the fans to cheer during some quiet stretches when homers — non-Phillies edition — were hit. — CBS News, 14 July 2026 In fact, there are plenty of incredible stretches of sand and surf to explore across the United States, including in Hawaii, Florida, and beyond. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026 The twin setbacks leave Republicans with a 51-47 majority in the Senate as lawmakers begin what is expected to be one of the busiest stretches of the year. — Nik Popli, Time, 13 July 2026 Leading scorer Kelsey Plum has missed two long stretches because of injuries, but the biggest headache for the team for much of the season has been its poor defense. — Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026 Sant Pol de Mar swaps crowded stretches of sand for quieter coves, whitewashed buildings and a noticeably calmer atmosphere than Barcelona. — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 Agriculture is a main vein of the district, with increasingly urbanizing population, including growing suburban communities like Wellington and Parkland alongside rural stretches. — David Burck, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026 Washington recognized various organizations turning out for the event and then led some group stretches. — Shivika Verma, Mercury News, 6 July 2026

Verb

The 28216 zip code stretches northwest from just north of uptown past I-485. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026 The Licking ranch sits within the Hell Creek Formation, a legendary geological boneyard that stretches across Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas. — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 13 July 2026 The route stretches from northern California to the British Columbia-Yukon border in northern Canada and spans just over 2,500 miles—the Okanagan Scenic Highway portion is 130 miles. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026 Her protectiveness of the island stretches back years, in part because Nantucket saved her, in a way, during a difficult time in her life. — Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 11 July 2026 Built in 2003, the house has four bedrooms and four bathrooms and stretches over 6,000 square feet. — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026 South Africa’s history of violent anti-immigration riots stretches back to 2008, peaking again in 2015, 2019, and 2021, fueled by socioeconomic discontent. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 10 July 2026 Like many of the world’s highest-earning athletes, Djokovic has invested a portion of his wealth in real estate, assembling a portfolio that stretches from the Mediterranean to the mountains of Monaco and beyond. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 July 2026 Along the ocean floor that stretches for thousands of miles, Earth’s tectonic plates meet at the mid-ocean ridges. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretches

Noun

The property makes the most of its secluded setting, where guests get to explore the wide expanses of desert and winding riverbeds without encountering other safari vehicles.

— Rebekah Peppler, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026
Buildings covering huge expanses house thousands of constantly running computer servers.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 14 July 2026

Definition of expanses

Noun

While the exact multiples will fluctuate with earnings estimates, all three companies trade at valuations that appear reasonable relative to their competitive advantages, growth prospects and historical trading ranges.

— Harvey Stober, CNBC, 14 July 2026
In fact, McKillips says he wouldn’t be shocked if the sport’s next breakout star first picked up a club at one of the company’s driving ranges instead of a country club.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 14 July 2026

Definition of ranges

Verb

The best place to start is a sporting culture that exaggerates accomplishments and rewards capitalistic success before the sporting variety.

— Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
One sure focus is the rampant grade inflation that exaggerates student achievement and has made graduating high school close to meaningless as an indicator of college preparedness.

— U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2026

Definition of exaggerates

Verb

The fish gives you polish, but the chimichurri pulls it back toward Argentina, toward the grill, toward the street.

— Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Investors are trying to suss out where the Fed will take interest rates, as Warsh pulls back on how the Fed talks about its plans.

— Matt Peterson, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Definition of pulls

Verb

Whether they’re kitten-heeled or a tall pump, this shoe design lengthens the leg, offsetting the Bermuda shorts to create a streamlined silhouette.

— René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 3 July 2026
These Levi’s 314 Shaping Straight Jeans and Classic Straight Jeans, for example, have an elongating silhouette that lengthens the legs.

— Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 30 June 2026

Definition of lengthens

Verb

North Field on Tinian, which was once the busiest airport in the world, was shut down after the war but is undergoing renovation to become an alternate base to Guam as Washington tries to disperse its assets around the region.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Against this bedlam, Rhaenyra tries to fashion herself a real queen.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026