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
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of stretch
Mark Lakin, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024
As trees grow, the elastic band wrapped around their trunk stretches and transmits data directly to a computer.
—Sabrina Weiss, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024
Kate Murphy, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
The buttery yellow ramparts encircling the center of Avignon stretch 2.6 miles and are notched with arrow slits and gaps for dumping boiling water or cooking oil on attackers below.
—Catherine Porter, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Alyssa Hui, Health, 3 Oct. 2024
All the fabrics are really soft, stretch, elastic waistband.
—Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stretch 
Noun
Plus, the on-site offerings include in-room morning stretches, spectacular hikes, and some of the best hot-stone baths in the country.
—Mark Lakin, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024
As trees grow, the elastic band wrapped around their trunk stretches and transmits data directly to a computer.
—Sabrina Weiss, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
Zoom in: The iron arch stretches across San Diego Avenue at Twiggs Street welcoming visitors to the state historic park that marks the birthplace of California.
—Kate Murphy, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
The buttery yellow ramparts encircling the center of Avignon stretch 2.6 miles and are notched with arrow slits and gaps for dumping boiling water or cooking oil on attackers below.
—Catherine Porter, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Set a timer to remind yourself to stand, stretch, or walk, Chen said.
—Alyssa Hui, Health, 3 Oct. 2024
All the fabrics are really soft, stretch, elastic waistband.
—Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
-
For 2025, industry experts predict expansions on already-booming product and treatment themes within the skin-care space.Victoria Moorhouse, Allure, 12 Dec. 2024
-
That’s raising questions about who will bear the costs of its expansion.Saul Elbein, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
That the Astros are shopping setup man Ryan Pressly already suggests the club is searching for ways to create payroll space.Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
-
A touch of electric blue keeps a space calm and inviting, while a total electric blue transformation adds an extra level of excitement and whimsy.Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
French toast occupies the other end of the flavor spectrum, a study of sweetness and its supporting flavors.Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024
-
Trump’s choices fall along a spectrum as far as their odds of getting confirmed.Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
This property sits right in the middle of the Windy City: Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, Grant, and Millennium Park are all within walking distance.Esther Carlstone, Parents, 18 Dec. 2024
-
For the purpose of this study, White defines that as the equity trading above the moving average for 80% of the time over the past two months and closing north of the trendline in eight of the last 10 sessions, before getting within striking distance of the moving average.Schaeffer's Investment Research, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
This book only exaggerates that a little and gets the point across with its oceanography-meets-psychology text and gorgeous design. 8.Brian Boone, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
-
Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has greatly exaggerated the death of legacy media in his posts on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.Peter Suciu, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Brands began to pull together resources to support refugees.Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
-
The 13-minute performance will likely call for a healthy dose of vibrant, colored lighting to pull it all together.Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 10 Feb. 2023
Verb
-
Stress can also alter hormone levels, which can shorten or lengthen your cycle.15 Birth control methods like hormonal contraceptive pills often shorten your cycle to a specific timeline.Carley Millhone, Health, 13 Dec. 2024
-
By Stephen Kearse December 8, 2024 8:00 AM EST Streaming has mutated the album as a format over the past decade, lengthening tracklists, shifting where likely hits get placed, and chipping away at song runtimes.Stephen Kearse, TIME, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
This was to try to reduce extreme poverty and the associated problems that come with it.Bernard Marr, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
-
Seattle is reportedly trying to acquire young infielders this winter.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Articles Related to stretch
Thesaurus Entries Near stretch
Cite this Entry
“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share