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
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 11 May 2026
Naz Reid took the fateful elbow to the neck from a frustrated Wembanyama and finished with 15 points and nine rebounds to help the Timberwolves finish strong after some shaky stretches.
—CBS News, 11 May 2026
Still, the company is now in the final stretches of testing, and a launch could come this summer.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
Light weekly applications during humid stretches can help keep susceptible plants looking healthier throughout the season.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 11 May 2026
Business expo vendors will be on hand, and a DJ will provide tunes for warming up before the race and pre- and post-stretches with on-site physical therapy professionals.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Trump lately isn’t very fond of long plane rides or extended stretches away from the White House or his properties in Florida and New Jersey.
—Will Weissert, Fortune, 11 May 2026
Wall became a 5-time All Star in Washington and helped usher in one of the franchise's most successful stretches of the past decade by leading the Wizards to four playoff appearances.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Some of them are small stretches, and some are a little larger.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
But moss phlox is a lower growing alternative that stretches from 1 to 2-feet wide and yields equally eye-catching flowers that carpet gardens with color in early spring.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 12 May 2026
The new House map places portions of Kansas City in neighboring Republican districts and stretches the remainder of Cleaver's 5th District far eastward into Republican-heavy rural areas.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
The island's icy volcano, which has erupted in recent history, stretches up to over 5,300 feet (1,615 meters) from sea level to summit.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 12 May 2026
The Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal State Park trail, which stretches more than 70 miles from Milford to New Brunswick, is ideal for a scenic walk or ride.
—Hannah Howard, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
Fans will be able to watch matches, visit restaurants and listen to live music as the tournament stretches on for a major portion of the summer.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 12 May 2026
The sprawling district then stretches across the state and loops in voters south of Naples and in Marco Island.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
But his acclaimed filmography stretches back more than a decade, with over 25 years of features that explore the fragility of human bonds and the illusion of stability.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
Noun
An infinity-edge pool stretches toward the horizon, while expansive Ipe wood decks, flamed granite terraces, and an outdoor kitchen frame sweeping bay views.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 11 May 2026
Naz Reid took the fateful elbow to the neck from a frustrated Wembanyama and finished with 15 points and nine rebounds to help the Timberwolves finish strong after some shaky stretches.
—CBS News, 11 May 2026
Still, the company is now in the final stretches of testing, and a launch could come this summer.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
Light weekly applications during humid stretches can help keep susceptible plants looking healthier throughout the season.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 11 May 2026
Business expo vendors will be on hand, and a DJ will provide tunes for warming up before the race and pre- and post-stretches with on-site physical therapy professionals.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Trump lately isn’t very fond of long plane rides or extended stretches away from the White House or his properties in Florida and New Jersey.
—Will Weissert, Fortune, 11 May 2026
Wall became a 5-time All Star in Washington and helped usher in one of the franchise's most successful stretches of the past decade by leading the Wizards to four playoff appearances.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Some of them are small stretches, and some are a little larger.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Verb
Monte Carlo Liquors & Steak House is a lone brick island in a large asphalt lot that sits just over 100 feet from the Central Avenue Bridge that stretches over the Rio Grande in Albuquerque.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
But moss phlox is a lower growing alternative that stretches from 1 to 2-feet wide and yields equally eye-catching flowers that carpet gardens with color in early spring.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 12 May 2026
The new House map places portions of Kansas City in neighboring Republican districts and stretches the remainder of Cleaver's 5th District far eastward into Republican-heavy rural areas.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
The island's icy volcano, which has erupted in recent history, stretches up to over 5,300 feet (1,615 meters) from sea level to summit.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 12 May 2026
The Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal State Park trail, which stretches more than 70 miles from Milford to New Brunswick, is ideal for a scenic walk or ride.
—Hannah Howard, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
Fans will be able to watch matches, visit restaurants and listen to live music as the tournament stretches on for a major portion of the summer.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 12 May 2026
The sprawling district then stretches across the state and loops in voters south of Naples and in Marco Island.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
But his acclaimed filmography stretches back more than a decade, with over 25 years of features that explore the fragility of human bonds and the illusion of stability.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretches
Noun
-
Encounters with whales, dolphins and penguins awaited; landscapes of icy expanses, towering cliffs and rolling green hills beckoned.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
-
This former mining hub with a population of about 170 is sandwiched between the vast expanses of Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.—
Amanda Ogle,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Apr. 2026
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
-
After all, the brand is synonymous with high-quality pigments and innovative finishes, inclusive color ranges, and the kind of skin-like finish that blurs the line between backstage artistry and everyday luxury.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
10 May 2026
-
The mineral water contains 13 minerals and ranges from 35 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Faster delivery could become the new expectation, especially for short distances.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
Specifically, the Pentagon is worried about the huge distances involved in the Pacific, and near-peer defensive capabilities like anti-access/area denial should a conflict erupt.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Dehydration exaggerates creases and makes skin look less supple.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Dehydration exaggerates creases and gives skin a texture that emphasizes lines.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This sends a signal of safety to the nervous system and pulls you out of anxious mental loops.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 May 2026
-
And there’s the more overtly dashing William Ryder (Laurie Davidson), whose great sense of fun pulls something similar out of Mary.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Customers agree that the curved brush lengthens and volumizes their lashes, while the formula is smudge-, flake-, clump-, and sweat-proof.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The slim toe lengthens the leg, while the open heel keeps the outfit from looking heavy.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Swisher tries all these things and more in this week’s episode.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
-
Ellie tries to embody each artist and that takes studying of the mannerisms because the mannerisms are what bring it to life, not the staging or anything else.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stretches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretches. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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