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
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Recent Examples of stretch
Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Early in the Trump administration, Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) offered state National Guard soldiers to be deputized as federal immigration agents and offered its stretch of buoy barrier floating in the Rio Grande as an asset to the federal government.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 6 July 2025
Matias Grez, CNN Money, 5 July 2025
The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area stretches across the 2.5-mile beach of the Kalma Peninsula.
—Se Eun Gong, NPR, 5 July 2025
Madison Yauger, People.com, 10 May 2025
Denim veteran Piero Turk plugged into his roots in Italian luxury with garments that utilized the comfort of stretch denim without fitting tight on the body.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Noun
During another hot stretch a year later, the peak index was the same.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Early in the Trump administration, Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) offered state National Guard soldiers to be deputized as federal immigration agents and offered its stretch of buoy barrier floating in the Rio Grande as an asset to the federal government.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 6 July 2025
Verb
To this day, Ashe’s legacy still stretches way beyond the court, inspiring a new generation of athlete activists – some of whom are playing at Wimbledon this year.
—Matias Grez, CNN Money, 5 July 2025
The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area stretches across the 2.5-mile beach of the Kalma Peninsula.
—Se Eun Gong, NPR, 5 July 2025
Adjective
Made with a stretch cotton French terry material, the half-zip is soft on the inside while maintaining its chic, cropped exterior.
—Madison Yauger, People.com, 10 May 2025
Denim veteran Piero Turk plugged into his roots in Italian luxury with garments that utilized the comfort of stretch denim without fitting tight on the body.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
-
Plans for expansion to New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago in 2026 demonstrate the tour’s national ambitions.—
Essence,
Essence,
10 July 2025
-
Practice Belly Breathing Many people take shallow, fast breaths while running, limiting the expansion of their lungs.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
According to Redfin, Dilworth is home to sprawling green spaces, eclectic dining options and numerous walking trails.—
Nora O’Neill
July 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 July 2025
-
Sean is going to show you one of the biggest companies in the space.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
How the Autism Theater Project was born The theater program showcases lives on and off the spectrum in an authentic way, helping crew members and actors work on productions.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 July 2025
-
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Utah, which had the lowest cancer rate nationwide, with just 358 cases per 100,000 residents—a figure 45 percent lower than Maine's.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Even on Zoom, the Wyoming sky is clearly in the background, with an expanse of ranch land stretching out into the distance.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
-
The president’s visit was signaled on Sunday, when the Federal Aviation Administration issued a VIP movement notification for Tuesday — an advisory that restricts flights within a distance typically reserved for the president.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Paramount+ offers two flexible plans to fit your streaming needs.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
-
Bill Smith, founder and CEO of grantee Inseparable, said flexible funding allows nonprofits to adapt to a volatile policy climate.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Places like Antarctica, Tasmania, and New Zealand sometimes offer glimpses of the elusive southern lights, but one of the most compelling places to witness the celestial event is in Patagonia, the mountainous expanse that straddles southern Argentina and Chile.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
6 July 2025
-
Arizona, with its abundant sun, lack of oil and gas resources, open desert expanses and business-friendly policies, has been a leader in welcoming clean energy progress incentivized by Biden-era programs.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
Real Madrid will try to win its first Clasico in a while After losing four times to FC Barcelona in 2024/2025, twice in the league and once a piece in the Super Cup and Copa del Rey finals, Real Madrid will try to win its first Clasico in a while on Alonso’s orders.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
But there is little debate — for the first time in a while — about England’s first-choice No 9.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Part-time employees at The Pad Climbing range from three to 30 hours per week, which requires an adaptable approach.—
Michelle Travis,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
For me, that lifestyle of being out on the open range was so foreign to me, but also just seemed cool.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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