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

Chelsea spent long stretches of the first half in survival mode as Arsenal roared onto the front foot after that shock opener, conjuring furious flurries of pressure from open play and set pieces. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 But even for people who are used to heat, long stretches of it can be particularly dangerous. — Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026 Despite the loss and what the stat sheet showed — mainly Oregon’s 497-274 advantage in total yards — the Broncos simply looked better for long stretches. — Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2026 Irresistible lure In a swirling age of coast-to-coast railroad mergers, the freight tracks that run through Barrington are suddenly one of the hottest stretches of track in North America. — John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 Contractors need experienced people, yet many projects involve long stretches of repetitive earthmoving. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026 It’s set on a remote farm nestled high in the Rocky Mountains in the early 1950s, and the images — of jutting peaks and plunging valleys, of endless stretches of pine, of the craggy frosted grandeur of it all — are vivid enough to carry you away. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 The Trojans posted their first shutout since 2024, smothering the Bulldogs with two safeties, four sacks and long stretches without yielding a yard, first down or rhythm. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 Some people may incorporate arm movements, such as shoulder circles and side bend stretches, while walking. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

Although the first topological ideas only emerged in the 18th century, the history of the Platonic solids stretches back much further. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026 As Sean McVay enters his 10th season, his coaching tree stretches across the NFL, with former Rams assistants now leading the Packers, Bengals, Vikings, Jaguars and Cardinals as head coaches. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Scheufele sees such moments as an opportunity that stretches beyond introducing product. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026 Despite the recent surge in popularity, the peptide has a history that stretches back more than fifty years. — Will Stone, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026 McTominay will miss the extended international break that stretches from late September into early October. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 But the field’s hiring calendar stretches well beyond September. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026 But 160 Leroy portends a future that stretches the definition of what constitutes New York living into hitherto-unknown territory. — Bridget Read, Curbed, 1 Sep. 2026 This mechanical action instantly stretches the second film, acting as the refrigerator. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretches

Noun

Pale stone, dramatically veined marble, warm wood and expanses of mirror are found throughout the flagship, with linear lighting integrated into ceilings and fixtures.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Curving terraces wrap around the structure, while large expanses of glass provide sweeping views over the landscape.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of expanses

Noun

Pooling of sea water is possible around high tide at beach areas that is uncommon with normal tidal ranges.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Technological advances have already made drones cheaply and readily available for purchase, with longer ranges, higher payloads, and an improved ability to evade electronic warfare.

— Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of ranges

Noun

This does indicate that, like Pickford, Suzuki is capable of getting huge distances on his passes.

— Aston Villa, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Printed, copied, and circulated among an extraordinarily literate population, the Constitution executed a covenant and allowed, too, for the exertion of power over vast distances.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of distances

Verb

Armour points to two recent plays, one involving Chelsea Gray and another involving Kiah Stokes, as proof that Clark exaggerates contact and creates false narratives about opposing players.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026
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

Definition of exaggerates

Verb

As the motor pulls the tendons, the tail bends into an S-shape, creating the side-to-side motion that quietly moves the whole device forward.

— Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2026
Each summer, the Premier League’s financial power pulls further and further away from what the rest of Europe’s leagues can muster.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of pulls

Verb

Farther still, as the road straightens and lengthens, the view is of open space.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026
The sideways lean becomes a forward one, the gap between his legs increases, and his feet begin landing beneath or slightly behind his centre of mass as his stride lengthens.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of lengthens

Verb

In the beginning, the tension builds quite well as Nessa tries to understand her terrifying circumstances, but after the first major reveal, there aren’t many twists to keep the audience on their toes.

— Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Her daily life is kept together as a mother, wife and worker who pops pills to keep going, tries self-help, but deep down (maybe not even that deep) is in denial about the gaping hole in her life.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026