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
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Many stretches of the Madison River, for example, are catch-and-release only for rainbow trout (except for anglers under 14 years, who can keep one of any size).
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
Do stretches, deep breathing, meditation or anything that engages your physical body and instills calm.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Three blue bloods — Penn State, LSU and Florida — have already ripped the Band-Aid, while others like Florida State and Auburn are amid abnormally bad multi-year stretches under their current leaders, and a switch nears for each.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Whether towing its matching trailer or not, the Elevance SUV is carefully designed for moving confidently from city streets to primitive stretches of off-road.
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
On the busiest days in recent years, the Lower Blue River — stretches of which are designated as Gold Medal fishing — has seen up to 45 boats on the river, according to data provided by Blue Valley Ranch.
—Ryan Spencer, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025
The construction zone on Interstate 80 stretches from eastbound Highway 50 from the Yolo I-80 ramp to Jefferson Boulevard in West Sacramento.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated October 28, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Beyond measuring drywall, Togal’s roadmap stretches into precise customization.
—Jon Stojan, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The full line now stretches nearly six miles.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Mecklenburg County is warning residents who rely on food assistance to prepare for a gap in their benefits if the federal government shutdown stretches on.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
The estate stretches across more than five acres at the top of a hill, secluded yet within easy reach of Ibiza’s seaside party towns.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
They are made with a durable nylon and spandex blend that repels water and stretches two ways.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Head Start locations are warning that their programs will be imperiled if the government shutdown stretches into November.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
More than a million federal workers are missing paychecks as the government shutdown stretches into its third week.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
The Accursed Mountain chain stretches from northern Albania through Kosovo and Montenegro, with the highest peaks reaching more than 8,800 feet.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
Hunter stretches, too, to weld the play’s interest in the act of watching television to stargazing.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Many stretches of the Madison River, for example, are catch-and-release only for rainbow trout (except for anglers under 14 years, who can keep one of any size).
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
Do stretches, deep breathing, meditation or anything that engages your physical body and instills calm.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Three blue bloods — Penn State, LSU and Florida — have already ripped the Band-Aid, while others like Florida State and Auburn are amid abnormally bad multi-year stretches under their current leaders, and a switch nears for each.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Whether towing its matching trailer or not, the Elevance SUV is carefully designed for moving confidently from city streets to primitive stretches of off-road.
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
On the busiest days in recent years, the Lower Blue River — stretches of which are designated as Gold Medal fishing — has seen up to 45 boats on the river, according to data provided by Blue Valley Ranch.
—Ryan Spencer, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025
The construction zone on Interstate 80 stretches from eastbound Highway 50 from the Yolo I-80 ramp to Jefferson Boulevard in West Sacramento.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated October 28, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Beyond measuring drywall, Togal’s roadmap stretches into precise customization.
—Jon Stojan, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
Texas Tech recently banned the throwing of tortillas onto the field during kickoffs, a practice that stretches back decades.
—Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The full line now stretches nearly six miles.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Mecklenburg County is warning residents who rely on food assistance to prepare for a gap in their benefits if the federal government shutdown stretches on.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
The estate stretches across more than five acres at the top of a hill, secluded yet within easy reach of Ibiza’s seaside party towns.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
They are made with a durable nylon and spandex blend that repels water and stretches two ways.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Head Start locations are warning that their programs will be imperiled if the government shutdown stretches into November.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
More than a million federal workers are missing paychecks as the government shutdown stretches into its third week.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
The Accursed Mountain chain stretches from northern Albania through Kosovo and Montenegro, with the highest peaks reaching more than 8,800 feet.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretches
Noun
-
Never mind its name, extreme temperatures, and vast expanses of desert—there are also stones that move on their own.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
28 Oct. 2025
-
WindBorne Systems But hurricane hunters can fly only so many missions, and most storms develop in places that aircraft can’t safely reach, such as over vast ocean expanses.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
20 Oct. 2025
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.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The survey polled 16,946 Americans, who self-reported their height and weight, then Gallup relied on body mass index (BMI) calculations — the historically flawed measurement traditionally used by medical professionals to determine healthy weight ranges — to determine who qualified as obese.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Juvia’s Place has become a household name for bold colors and inclusive shade ranges.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Recent analysis of two fossils from Australia, estimated to be about 50,000 years old, suggests that Australia’s First Peoples valued big animals for their fossils as well as for their meat, collecting bones and transporting them over great distances.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
-
This nickel detection was unexpected at such large distances, where temperatures remain extremely cold.—
Darryl Seligman,
Space.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tainy’s Prometheus — is portrayed by Feid, dressed in an oversized leather coat and lit in a manner that exaggerates his grills in an eerie way.—
Juan J. Arroyo,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Whether or not The Bitch of Buchenwald did what is reenacted on the show isn’t relevant, because her activities are placed in the context of a comic book that exaggerates history to make a point — just like Monster does.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This sleek propane fire pit pulls double duty as a stylish table for evening chats, s’mores nights, or crisp morning coffees.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Once the pup is close enough, the officer reaches out and pulls him from underneath the train.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This lengthens your body, opens your chest, and lets your arms fall into a more natural position.—
Christine Buzan,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Charlotte Tilbury only just launched at Amazon, but this best-selling liquid highlighter is already marked down, as is this Lancôme mascara that defines, volumizes, and lengthens lashes in one fell swoop.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Baring’s business tries to generate between 3 and 6 percentage points of return above traditional nonbank lending, but Searles maintains that doesn’t come with extra risk.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
28 Oct. 2025
-
After Nora and Agnes’ mother passes away, Gustav returns to Oslo (and the gorgeous family house that has played home to some of their biggest tragedies) and tries to reestablish himself in his family’s lives.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stretches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretches. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share