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
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
That narrow stretch right inside your front door.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Keyla Vasconcellos, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026
The company focuses solely on the medical linen industry, which also includes uniform rental, its market stretching from Maine to northern Delaware.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The Tryn Double-breasted Blazer is crafted from a drapey, stretch fabric that resembles the off-duty look Aritzia is known for (but at a way lower price).
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Noun
The broader market may be cooling, but at the very top, activity remains concentrated, and along a narrow stretch tracing Biscayne Bay, properties trade quietly, often before they are formally listed.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
That narrow stretch right inside your front door.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Fall brings the city's signature food events, including the Farm-to-Fork Festival and the elusive Tower Bridge Dinner, a communal meal stretching across the bridge with seats awarded through a highly competitive lottery.
—Keyla Vasconcellos, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026
The company focuses solely on the medical linen industry, which also includes uniform rental, its market stretching from Maine to northern Delaware.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The researchers, however, did not find meaningful improvements in post-exercise muscle recovery, soreness or tendon mechanical properties (strength, springiness and stretch resistance).
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The Tryn Double-breasted Blazer is crafted from a drapey, stretch fabric that resembles the off-duty look Aritzia is known for (but at a way lower price).
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
-
The centerpiece of the expansion, which was led by the architects Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas, in collaboration with the firm Cooper Robertson, is an atrium that snaps right onto the side of the flagship building.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The Maryland case often is cited as justification for an expansion of DNA collection.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Crews are asking boaters and visitors in the area to give dive teams and emergency vessels space to operate safely as the search continues.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The light, airy space on 53rd Street houses cooler-than-cool home decor items, tech accessories, tabletop design and furniture, jewelry, and accessories.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
SpaceX’s application suggests the company is eyeing the spectrum to incorporate into its satellite-to-phone service, Starlink Mobile, which is already available through T-Mobile.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The political spectrum runs far and wide, and every voice matters.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The lower-density regions around them, even from quite a distance away, don’t stand a chance.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The street is within a few minutes’ walking distance of the childhood homes of both McCartney and fellow Beatle George Harrison.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
SMAs provide reliable thermal recovery, while SMPs offer flexible, stimulus-responsive deformation.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
-
That option also would provide flexibility with temporary closures, without having to close all of Prospect Avenue, and would implement unique pavers and hardscaping to the Prospect Avenue slip lane to create a flexible shared space.—
Chuck Fieldman,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Perched just beyond the Bay Area’s eastern edge, this expanse of fields, orchards, subdivisions and big-box stores offers few opportunities for ambitious young professionals interested in industries such as tech and finance.—
Connor Letourneau,
San Francisco Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The expanse of the American West lends a scope and majesty to the frame, while smooth transitions between 2D and 3D animation make the horse-racing scenes exhilarating.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Becherano had his eyes on Fort Lauderdale as Smorgasburg’s next home for a while.—
Amanda Rosa
March 31,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
We’ve been estranged for a while.—
Jesse Eisenberg,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The development of platinum-free fuel cells could have a wide range of benefits.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the defendants had been members of the Socialist Rifle Association, a leftist gun group, and held gun-range outings.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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