stretching (out)

verb

present participle of stretch (out)
as in spreading (out)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretching (out)
  1. expanding
  2. extending
  3. opening
  4. unfolding
Verb
  • Axel Springer is expanding in the Middle East, joining a growing number of Western publishers with an editorial presence in the region — and testing a key pillar of its editorial beliefs.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Mamdani’s signature 2-K program is scheduled to launch this fall with 2,000 students in select school districts, with the goal of expanding citywide over four years.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of expanding
Verb
  • The analysts actually like the agentic AI server tailwinds extending into 2028 and are positive on foundry/advanced packaging.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Uber ended operations in Nigeria and Uganda this week, extending a year-long retreat from Africa.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of extending
Verb
  • Where is Southwest Airlines opening its first airport lounges?
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • After its Venice premiere, the film will screen at the New York Film Festival before opening in theaters and screening on arthouse film platform Mubi later this year.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of opening
Verb
  • But the true test of Turning Point Action's clout was unfolding inside the exhibition center, where staff members were registering voters, handing out buttons and signing people up for social events.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Precious little of anything survives from a millennium ago, let alone textile, let alone narrative textile, hundreds of feet of it, unfolding in scene after scene with the colors still crisp.
    — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of unfolding
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

stretching
stretching (out)
stretch (out)
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Cite this Entry

“Stretching (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretching%20%28out%29. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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