1
as in expansion
a wide space or area
a narrow stretch of beach below the cliffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in space
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 distance
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 to exaggerate
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 to lengthen
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 to try
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
your whining is stretching my patience to the limit
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in flexible
able to revert to original size and shape after being stretched, squeezed, or twisted
stretch fabrics that don't wrinkle or sag
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to expand
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area
you can't stretch out your legs to the point where you're blocking the aisle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of stretch
Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Arison took control of the Heat in 1995, helping to build an organization that’s considered one of the NBA’s most successful franchises during over that 30-year stretch.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
The property has six bedrooms, a private cinema, and a pool stretched over 10,700 square feet.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 July 2025
According to our expert, washing denim too often breaks down the fibers more quickly and that is especially true if the jeans have any stretch fibers in them, which many of them do.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Noun
This involves a deliberate strategy of job rotations, stretch assignments, coaching, and board exposure.
—Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Arison took control of the Heat in 1995, helping to build an organization that’s considered one of the NBA’s most successful franchises during over that 30-year stretch.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
But most existing materials are either too rigid or lose performance when stretched.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
The property has six bedrooms, a private cinema, and a pool stretched over 10,700 square feet.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Dunaway should get stretch powers, because Hollywood is cruel about women aging and Mr. Fantastic’s power can be used like Botox (see also: Elasti-Woman on Doom Patrol).
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 July 2025
According to our expert, washing denim too often breaks down the fibers more quickly and that is especially true if the jeans have any stretch fibers in them, which many of them do.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
-
Eudia and Haroun used the Summit to announce a major expansion of their AI for Good initiative, investing resources to remove systemic barriers and foster economic mobility and opportunity, especially for Arizona’s underserved communities.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
3 Sep. 2025
-
This growth includes the expansion of distribution centers, attack surfaces, and opportunities for malicious actors.—
Leeza Garber,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
His new contract follows that of cornerback DaRon Bland, who signed a four-year, $92 million extension after the team opened up cap space by trading Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first round draft picks.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Familiar features will include the Magic Edge cantilevered dining pods – Edge Series ships feature the iconic Magic Carpet, a multi-use space that seems to float over open water – and Infinite Verandas.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Some brands use the small-medium-large spectrum, in which case it’s recommended to measure the length and width of your kids’ feet to find the right size.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
-
But the most pronounced differences, no surprise, are along the political spectrum.—
Robert G. Eccles,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Strategies will remain flexible to adjust to changing fire behavior, terrain, and resource availability.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
By learning from nature’s most flexible swimmer, the octopus, researchers hope to overcome these challenges and make underwater machines more capable, adaptable, and sustainable.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Andres Garcia Lachner/Costa Elena While Costa Rica comes equipped with towering volcanoes and vast expanses of shoreline, few of its natural features can match the grandeur of the Guanacaste Conservation Area.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Also on Sundays, Mauerpark’s Flohmarkt is a sprawling expanse of vendors selling World War II–era memorabilia, vintage glassware, and handicrafts.—
Blane Bachelor,
AFAR Media,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
And based on a report from Tashan Reed of The Athletic, Meyers might be waiting for a while and could find himself out of Las Vegas by the end of the year.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Sometimes the lost would come back for a brief while — revenants returning to haunt the world of the living.—
Bjorn Dihle,
Outdoor Life,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
After two deep misfires, Patrick Mahomes finally connected with Tyquan Thornton deep to get within field-goal range.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
-
After Lautaro Martinez scored Argentina’s second in the 76th minute, Messi tapped in from close range four minutes later to seal Argentina’s win.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
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