stretch 1 of 3

stretch

2 of 3

verb

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to pull
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure I stretched a back muscle, and the pain is killing me

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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

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4
5
as in to tighten
to draw tight if the canvas isn't properly stretched over the frame, there will be sagging over time

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stretch

3 of 3

adjective

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 stretch
Noun
As homeownership increased during that stretch, so did mortgage-free living. Go deeper: Salt Lake is projected to be the West's hottest real estate market of 2025. Erin Alberty, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025 With the deal, more than 800 students were brought into the heart of the downtown, creating more foot traffic and activating key stretches of the city’s urban core. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
The 2023 labor strikes stretched for months as the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists pushed studio chiefs to add artist protections. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2025 This area downtown stretches ten blocks full of shops and restaurants. Alexandra Maloney, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
The soft and smooth texture of the material is meant to combine with a stretch mesh material wrapping the graphite within the grip to improve vibration dampening by 5.8%. Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 Make the goals reasonably outsized and be aspirational so that they are considered stretch goals. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for stretch 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
  • His firm designed the Marine Mammal Pavilion, a large and colorful expansion to the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
    Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2025
  • L'Agence said this was meant to represent the company's international expansion.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Each new home likely would have five bedrooms, a basement, a pool and an outdoor living space.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The plan involves establishing a City Center consisting of offices, apartments, retail space, a hotel, restaurants and more.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Trump and Musk were pushing back on widespread chatter from both sides of the political spectrum that their political alliance could soon collapse, perhaps if Trump tires of Musk hogging the limelight or if his actions attract too much criticism.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Despite differing political approaches, one thing is clear: New Mexico is facing an urgent crisis, and leaders across the political spectrum will need to find common ground to prevent further loss of life while navigating around Trump's plans to carry out large-scale mass deportations.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Whitecloud’s shot was from distance with no traffic in front.
    Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
  • The greatest distance was sent by J.M. Abbot, Wapinitia, Oregon, a distance of approximately 1,400 miles from Hutchinson, as the crow flies.
    Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The seasonal adjustment process may be exaggerating January inflation, due to the lingering effects of earlier inflation surges on the adjustment process.
    Courtenay Brown, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025
  • Content creators exaggerate stakes to make their content urgent and existential.
    Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
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
  • Their trade for Jesús Luzardo raises the ceiling of their back-end starters, lengthening the rotation even before top prospect Andrew Painter is called up to the majors.
    Chad Jennings, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
  • My complexion was pore-less, my lashes were lengthened, but my brows looked meh.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Chip company calls allegations 'lurid' How the developer trying to buy TikTok will reshape north Phoenix near TSMC What does the typical house cost in metro Phoenix cities?
    Catherine Reagor, The Arizona Republic, 16 Feb. 2025
  • The Padres are trying to win their first World Series trophy.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.

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