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.
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Recent Examples of stretches
Melissa Dawn Simkins,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
The chaos in Ithaca may be political and ethical—a violation of custom—but stretches of the poem are barbarous and wild, beyond civilized life altogether.
—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
Located on the northeast coast near Willikies, this peaceful area offers wide stretches of pale sand, clear shallow water, and easy access to some of Antigua’s most beautiful coastline.
—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Mendoza listed Nolan McLean and Sean Manaea as examples of Mets starters who overcame poor stretches.
—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
Its defensive shape must be more disciplined, its midfield must control longer stretches of possession, and its transition defense must eliminate the kind of open-field chances that a France, Spain, or Argentina will punish.
—
Jon Root Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
In fairness, there were long stretches of South Africa-Czech Republic that were not entirely enthralling.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Denver's Juneteenth Music Festival is once again turning Five Points into a hub of music, culture and community, continuing a tradition that organizers say stretches back more than 70 years in the historic neighborhood.
—
Justin Adams,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
In between, there are stretches of wide valleys filled with junipers, pinyon pines, and jackrabbits peeking out from the sagebrush.
—
Tamara Gane,
Travel + Leisure,
15 June 2026
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
Behind her, the skyline stretches toward the horizon, a jumble of condo towers and cranes shimmering in the afternoon humidity.
—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
To qualify, a single applicant must earn between $113,700 and $158,250 annually, though the income ceiling stretches up to $226,050 for a household of four.
—
Ryan MacAsero,
Mercury News,
20 June 2026
As a result of those struggles, a statewide support network now stretches across Connecticut colleges and universities.
—
Valentina Toro,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2026
The patriarch’s younger son, Abhay, thirty-nine, and his family live on the top floor in a spacious, breezy apartment that commands a fine view of Dhakuria Lake, which stretches away into the distance, flanking Southern Avenue.
—
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
Noun
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
The chaos in Ithaca may be political and ethical—a violation of custom—but stretches of the poem are barbarous and wild, beyond civilized life altogether.
—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
Located on the northeast coast near Willikies, this peaceful area offers wide stretches of pale sand, clear shallow water, and easy access to some of Antigua’s most beautiful coastline.
—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Mendoza listed Nolan McLean and Sean Manaea as examples of Mets starters who overcame poor stretches.
—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
Its defensive shape must be more disciplined, its midfield must control longer stretches of possession, and its transition defense must eliminate the kind of open-field chances that a France, Spain, or Argentina will punish.
—
Jon Root Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
In fairness, there were long stretches of South Africa-Czech Republic that were not entirely enthralling.
—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Denver's Juneteenth Music Festival is once again turning Five Points into a hub of music, culture and community, continuing a tradition that organizers say stretches back more than 70 years in the historic neighborhood.
—
Justin Adams,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
In between, there are stretches of wide valleys filled with junipers, pinyon pines, and jackrabbits peeking out from the sagebrush.
—
Tamara Gane,
Travel + Leisure,
15 June 2026
Verb
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
Behind her, the skyline stretches toward the horizon, a jumble of condo towers and cranes shimmering in the afternoon humidity.
—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
To qualify, a single applicant must earn between $113,700 and $158,250 annually, though the income ceiling stretches up to $226,050 for a household of four.
—
Ryan MacAsero,
Mercury News,
20 June 2026
As a result of those struggles, a statewide support network now stretches across Connecticut colleges and universities.
—
Valentina Toro,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2026
The patriarch’s younger son, Abhay, thirty-nine, and his family live on the top floor in a spacious, breezy apartment that commands a fine view of Dhakuria Lake, which stretches away into the distance, flanking Southern Avenue.
—
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretches
Noun
-
This is not even considering the dedication of vast expanses of farmland to solar farms.
-
The Okefenokee swamp's prairies are vast, watery expanses dotted with floating islands and stands of cypress and other trees.
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
-
The launch marks a new chapter for a series that dates back to 1985, when Sanlorenzo introduced the fiberglass SL57, the first model in what would become one of yachting’s most recognizable ranges.
-
Being much smaller, this new portable version can’t quite reach those ranges, however.
Noun
-
This causes a runaway nuclear explosion of such uniform brightness that it can be used to measure cosmic distances.
-
The fly doesn’t travel big distances and moves more frequently on infested livestock.
Verb
-
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.
-
Perry has recently favored footwear that exaggerates a familiar evening shape.
Verb
-
Shoppers are gravitating toward scents that double as emotional rituals, whether that means a warm vanilla, a sweet caramel or a fruit-and-cream gourmand that pulls double duty as a comfort scent.
-
The Ed Sullivan Theater, the crowd is full, the curtain pulls, people are cheering, and David Letterman walks out.
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
-
Year after year, Hagerty tries new cultivars of his favorite crops—including chiles, peaches, and loads of tomatoes.
-
Unfortunately, the degree of difficulty is about as high as whatever Simone Biles tries in the Olympics.
Cite this Entry
“Stretches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretches. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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