1
as in to extend
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area the dog had outstretched his legs and was lying across the width of the doorway

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2
as in to lengthen
to make longer having outstretched our lunch break beyond all reason, we reluctantly headed back to work

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Example 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 outstretch While kicking around a soccer ball, the little princess took a few breaks to balance on one leg with her arms outstretched above her head. Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 26 Nov. 2019 The component sounds of Spanish words, cut down to two vowels and four consonants, are conveyed by whistling, the trick being to curl your fingers against your mouth with one finger outstretched, as if your hand were a gun. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2020 And that’s Bell jogging in to score the winning run with both arms outstretched over his head to give the Diamondbacks their only world championship. Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, 10 Jan. 2020 As Congress applauded the line, Pelosi stood, outstretched her arms, and clapped slowly and deliberately, as if the clap was more in jest than sincerity. Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 23 Dec. 2019 See all Example Sentences for outstretch 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstretch
Verb
  • Attempts to make up for this by extending the cooking time may lead to overcooked or dried-out food.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025
  • The urban core, Howard explained, extends from Independence Avenue down to 63rd Street, and from Interstate 435 to Troost Avenue.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The streaming giant joined a lengthening list of companies that have topped analysts’ profit expectations for the end of 2024.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Trump had previously floated exercising a 90-day extension written into the law to lengthen the deadline for a sale and reportedly considered issuing an executive order.
    Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But the brothers were working to expand the movement.
    Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
  • The world’s second-largest economy met official annual growth target last year, expanding 5.0%, as a barrage of stimulus measures kicked in.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • His reporting on billionaires has stretched from America's largest cardboard box factory to Donald Trump's ...
    Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
  • That, in turn, now allows the Pixel Watch 3 to stretch in some new directions.
    Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The show eventually opened there later that year, followed by a run in Washington, D.C., in late 2023.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2025
  • After some remarks from House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, the issue was opened for a floor vote, which failed, largely along party lines.
    Mikenzie Frost, Baltimore Sun, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Since the attack, Weisz-Gut has felt forced to take account of the specter of increasing prejudice in Europe on a personal level.
    Allison Gordon, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
  • One should be convinced of his increasing persuasive influence in the United States and in affairs with allies.
    Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near outstretch

Cite this Entry

“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretch. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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