by any/no stretch of the imagination

idiom

used to emphasize that something is not true, does not happen, etc.
They're not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination.
By no stretch of the imagination does the factory operate efficiently.

Examples of by any/no stretch of the imagination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Teams like Providence, Villanova, Syracuse, BC (Boston College) and Saint John’s were good teams back then, but none of them were national players by any stretch of the imagination in the national landscape. Emile Nuh, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025 The big picture: President Trump didn't start this trend, by any stretch of the imagination. Axios, 2 Feb. 2025 Winter and dirt-loving all-wheel drive The GR Corolla is a four-season car by any stretch of the imagination. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024 This one was not a masterpiece, by any stretch of the imagination. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for by any/no stretch of the imagination

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“By any/no stretch of the imagination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20any%2Fno%20stretch%20of%20the%20imagination. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!