stretches 1 of 2

plural of stretch
1
2
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

stretches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of stretch
1
2
as in pulls
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure I stretched a back muscle, and the pain is killing me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
5
as in tightens
to draw tight if the canvas isn't properly stretched over the frame, there will be sagging over time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
His touch and feel for the game have often betrayed him, however, preventing him from staying on the court for prolonged stretches. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025 Beyond measuring drywall, Togal’s roadmap stretches into precise customization. Jon Stojan, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025 While the high elevation reaches of Asheville turn colorful first in October, late fall brings dazzling colors to the region’s lower stretches, where the scene often lasts into November. Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2025 His combination of athleticism, awareness, and finishing ability provided Denver with a new offensive dimension, helping the team maintain pace and energy in critical stretches. Evan Dammarell, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025 Leading with less than 14 minutes to play on Vladimir Tarasenko’s first goal as a member of the Wild, the Flyers turned the tables and dominated the late stretches of the game. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025 This season was no exception, as Kelly spent the majority of the season in Triple-A and endured some rough stretches during his first two big league stints early on. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Oct. 2025 Long stretches of The Paseo, Broadway Boulevard and Ward Parkway will close as racers aim to set personal bests, so plan accordingly. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025 Zone 3 stretches from Discovery Park down past the Falcon Crest Golf Club. Idaho Statesman, 15 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
  • The double-height living room has a striking brick and mirror-paneled fireplace and large expanses of glass.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Vast expanses of aluminum panels and budget glass, slabs that look like they were drawn with a hacksaw, façades checkered with air conditioners, stretches of dead street frontage—the whole neighborhood looks like a first draft.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 22 Sep. 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
  • You should also be prepared to replace worn hoses, especially for ranges that connect with flexible gas lines.
    Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Focus on a nutrient-dense, minimally processed, and balanced diet that includes protein, fat, and carbohydrates within the ranges established by the AMDR.
    Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 21 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
  • The Detroit automaker allocated the electric commercial vans into its Chevrolet brand last year in a bid to boost its performance as GM tries to gain ground against competitors, including Ford and Rivian, in the market.
    Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Rohde, a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, will join MSNBC under Versant, the new company slated to be spun off from NBCUniversal in coming weeks as corporate parent Comcast tries to separate an eroding cable business from its broadcast and streaming assets.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stretches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretches. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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