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
  • Bressler added that the partnership, which didn’t extend to the second round, has generated about 750,000 social media impressions and a 30% uptick in website traffic and signups for Formula Bot.
    Mark J. Burns, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Her TikTok videos eventually caught the attention of a major Hollywood studio, who extended her an invitation to interview a cast member from one of their projects.
    Athena Sobhan, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Listen to this article The assumption when San Diego State added transfer Hunter Green to the roster is that Green would join the lengthening line of standout Aztecs punters.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
  • My typical email both starts and ends with expressions of gratitude, not to lengthen the email, but to strengthen the relationship.
    Jay Sullivan, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In this slice-of-life portrait, Chen shows how childhood experiences can shape someone, illustrating how a childhood passion might expand their horizons without necessarily becoming a lifelong vocation.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The potential is immense: Businesses can expand into new markets without facing financial roadblocks, while individuals can access their money without bureaucratic delays.
    Marc Sacal, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But we’re built to stretch out post players like that.
    Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Kiley, whose district stretches along California's eastern border from south of Death Valley to north of Lake Tahoe, did not respond to requests for comment.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The two are believed to have walked out of a set of doors that opened during a power outage.
    Hanna Park, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The 28-ounce reservoir opens from the top, rather than unscrewing from the base, for spill-free fill-ups and weekly deep cleans.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The change was stark, as Paramount has been a leader in promoting diversity in Hollywood, championing initiatives to increase representation on-screen through programming as well as behind the scenes, through programs designed to diversify writers, directors and producers.
    Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Sucralose increased brain activity in the hypothalamus and feelings of hunger compared to sugar, especially in participants with obesity.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretch. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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