1
as in extension
the act of making longer
excessive stretching can cause the fabric to tear or lose its elasticity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exaggeration
the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts
your constant stretching of the truth is going to get you in trouble someday
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in exaggerating
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
as in pulling
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure
I stretched a back muscle, and the pain is killing me
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in lengthening
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 trying
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
your whining is stretching my patience to the limit
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in tightening
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
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Recent Examples of stretching
Patrick McEnroe, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Some people still call him that, and theorize that the injuries likely have something to do with the style of the team’s play or its approach to strength and conditioning or stretching and recovery.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
The first happens in accordance with the Earth’s rotation, the second will be healed with stretching and Ibuprofen, and the third is simply a fact of life and the passage of time.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 22 Jan. 2026
According to physical therapists, regular stretching plays a critical role in supporting joint health, posture, circulation, and balance, all of which become increasingly important with age.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026
Do not wring or twist because that can cause stretching or stiches to pop.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2026
His pregame routine consisted of activation, treatment, rehab, stretching, weightlifting and mentally focusing while watching television.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026
The Flatiron District in Manhattan has been a center of nouveau wellness for around 15 years, with its many boutique fitness classes, gyms, acupuncturists, and stretching and recovery centers.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 14 Jan. 2026
Some forms of exercise, like yoga and stretching, were not included in the analysis, but are areas to be further researched, the review noted.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
On a typical $50,000 new-car loan with a $10,000 down payment and 8% APR, stretching financing from 48 months to 84 months can add nearly $5,500 in extra interest over the life of the loan.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
These two crashes are in a series stretching back decades.
—Brian New, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Frigid Arctic air moves back in There’s also a chance for light snow in a narrow band stretching from eastern Nebraska through southwest Iowa and possibly into northern Missouri.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2026
Folding sweaters helps protect the delicate material from stretching out, and these shelves can also be used to store towels, sheets, and blankets.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
The map shows a wolf presence in a string of watersheds stretching from Alamosa west to Durango and then north, near Grand Junction.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2026
New York — At the base of the world’s most slender skyscraper, stretching high above Billionaires’ Row in Manhattan, Bonhams will relocate its American headquarters next month.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Many of our students are already concerned with stretching their paychecks to cover food, rent, transportation and child care.
—Austin Barraza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
There’re proper stretching routines.
—Patrick McEnroe, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Some people still call him that, and theorize that the injuries likely have something to do with the style of the team’s play or its approach to strength and conditioning or stretching and recovery.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
The first happens in accordance with the Earth’s rotation, the second will be healed with stretching and Ibuprofen, and the third is simply a fact of life and the passage of time.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 22 Jan. 2026
According to physical therapists, regular stretching plays a critical role in supporting joint health, posture, circulation, and balance, all of which become increasingly important with age.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026
Do not wring or twist because that can cause stretching or stiches to pop.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2026
His pregame routine consisted of activation, treatment, rehab, stretching, weightlifting and mentally focusing while watching television.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026
The Flatiron District in Manhattan has been a center of nouveau wellness for around 15 years, with its many boutique fitness classes, gyms, acupuncturists, and stretching and recovery centers.
—Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 14 Jan. 2026
Some forms of exercise, like yoga and stretching, were not included in the analysis, but are areas to be further researched, the review noted.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
Giaccio also incorporates stretching and foam rolling into her recovery process.
—Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
On a typical $50,000 new-car loan with a $10,000 down payment and 8% APR, stretching financing from 48 months to 84 months can add nearly $5,500 in extra interest over the life of the loan.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
These two crashes are in a series stretching back decades.
—Brian New, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Frigid Arctic air moves back in There’s also a chance for light snow in a narrow band stretching from eastern Nebraska through southwest Iowa and possibly into northern Missouri.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2026
Folding sweaters helps protect the delicate material from stretching out, and these shelves can also be used to store towels, sheets, and blankets.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
The map shows a wolf presence in a string of watersheds stretching from Alamosa west to Durango and then north, near Grand Junction.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2026
New York — At the base of the world’s most slender skyscraper, stretching high above Billionaires’ Row in Manhattan, Bonhams will relocate its American headquarters next month.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Many of our students are already concerned with stretching their paychecks to cover food, rent, transportation and child care.
—Austin Barraza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretching
Noun
-
This fall, the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo will become eligible for a supermax contract extension.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Murray’s strategy for Lucky Strike includes having its venues serve as physical extensions of the PBA, where fans can watch live broadcasts and engage with athletes, while participating in leagues and watch parties.—
Luisa Beltran,
Sportico.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Speaking of which, the concept of royalty among members of PFV is no exaggeration, though some of the blue blood flowing through members’ veins is merely aristocratic.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
27 Dec. 2025
-
The deliberate exaggeration of both Lee’s performance and Park’s direction is what draws us into a suspension of moral disbelief, a sense of complicity with Man-su’s outrageous scheme.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The administration has repeatedly downplayed the benefits of immunization, while exaggerating the importance of nutritional supplementation for combatting measles.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Allegations that are now spreading online could be misinterpreting records or exaggerating minor issues — or could be exposing actual fraudulent activity.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As his career skyrocketed, Chalamet spent years quietly training — aided by an expert on the sport, Diego Schaaf — by pulling a table-tennis setup along to productions ranging from Dune to Wonka.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Notre Dame didn’t mess around in pulling all that material together, looking like a program with a plan before the portal opened.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This pair of white straight-leg jeans resembles the model’s denim look with their high-rise waist and leg-lengthening profile.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Available in regular, short, and long sizes, the tapered, wide-leg style creates a leg-lengthening illusion, and the high pocket placements in the back are butt-boosting.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Under New York law, the district attorney's office could be barred from trying Mangione on state murder charges if his federal trial happens first.—
MICHAEL R. SISAK THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The three cops who showed up weaved through the crowd trying to find the somebody who made the phone call.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The biotech beauty company is launching DermCeutical EDL, a topical bioactive ingredient that claims to deliver skin-tightening benefits.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The drinks will be available during concerts at the venue starting in early February and will serve as a test case for cannabis in mainstream venues even as lawmakers debate tightening rules around the category over safety concerns.—
Brandon Gomez,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The music’s dizzying rhythmic variation is skillful and studied enough that its humor can’t be mistaken for gimmicky internet caricature.—
Rae-Aila Crumble,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Black people as laughingstock, caricature.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stretching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretching. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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