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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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

This is the franchise that dealt the Wave their worst loss of all, the 1-0 semifinals defeat in San Diego that denied Casey Stoney‘s club, which looked weirdly tentative for long stretches, a 2023 NWSL finals berth at Snapdragon Stadium. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026 Early estimates, drawn from a few fast-changing stretches of DNA, had put the lineage at only a few centuries old. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Unlike Cinque Terre's beaches, which are pebbly and tucked into tiny coves (except for Monterosso’s), the shoreline here is surprisingly sandy, with both private clubs and ample stretches of public beach. — Jaclyn Degiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026 That doesn’t guarantee the Tigers would lose that much value by trading Skubal, because even the great ones are subject to injury risk and down stretches. — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 27 July 2026 The Marlins previously lost 11 straight in June 2011 and on two separate stretches in 1998. — ABC News, 26 July 2026 There were stretches when it could easily have been argued that Rick and Morty was the loopiest and most creatively unhinged (in a good way) show on television. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026 If your goal is neck-specific relief, pair it with chin tucks and upper-back stretches rather than expecting the prone position alone to carry the work. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026 While the drive includes a few narrow stretches and sheer gorge cliffs that aren’t for the faint of heart, those willing to make the journey will be rewarded with unforgettable sights. — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026

Verb

From a remote hilltop just north of Nablus, the view stretches across the occupied West Bank. — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 21 July 2026 Seek a challenge, skill, project or perspective that stretches you beyond your routine. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 The closure stretches along the ocean shoreline from the south end of Seacoast Drive to north of Carnation Avenue. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026 By engineering Aerolite, their proprietary lightweight performance fabric that stretches, breathes, resists wrinkles, garments unfold from a suitcase looking freshly pressed. — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 20 July 2026 The 28216 zip code stretches northwest from just north of uptown past I-485. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 14 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretches

Noun

The swamp's prairies are vast, watery expanses dotted with floating islands and stands of cypress and other trees.

— Drew Kann, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
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

Definition of expanses

Noun

Care will be in shorter supply, travel distances will stretch farther, and high-risk situations will more likely result in tragedy.

— Keith Humphreys, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Strategic bunkering on both sides challenges players at key driving distances, depending on wind direction and speed.

— Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of distances

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

If one side tries to claim all your attention, don’t panic or overpromise.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026
Regardless, the Red Sox viewed Early as the odd-man out as Breslow tries to navigate the upcoming trade deadline with the Red Sox having played themselves back into a playoff spot by winning 21 out of their last 25 games.

— Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 26 July 2026