STRETCHING (OUT) Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretching (out)

Verb

The more than five-month-old conflict, which was already expanding beyond its main fronts, has embroiled further countries in the Middle East in recent days, notably the likes of Iraq and Egypt.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
The 13th hotel in their rapidly expanding brand manages to remain individual in feel and fills a niche that the founders noticed was missing in Warsaw—a lifestyle brand.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of expanding

Verb

The executive noted that at many busy airports, there is no room for building new terminals and hangars or extending ramp space, making acquisitions the only way to gain entry.

— Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The 5-star LSU commitment answered 11 questions below ranging from extending Stephenson’s NFL legacy to his hidden talent.

— Jack Leo, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of extending

Verb

The blaze in Spokane County is unfolding during a wildfire year that so far has been historically destructive across the United States.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Artificial intelligence, demographic shifts, geopolitical competition, changing workforce expectations, new models of learning, and evolving public expectations are no longer unfolding sequentially.

— David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 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)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stretching (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretching%20%28out%29. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of stretching (out)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nurture

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes