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
This involves a deliberate strategy of job rotations, stretch assignments, coaching, and board exposure. Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025 Arison took control of the Heat in 1995, helping to build an organization that’s considered one of the NBA’s most successful franchises during over that 30-year stretch. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
But the latest nod to bearishness may be signs of consumers flocking to more off-price retailers such as TJ Maxx, Burlington Stores and Ross Stores in an effort to stretch their dollars. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 7 Sep. 2025 Guests are invited to soak in natural pools, bubbling hot springs, and a lake that stretches as far as the eye can see. Mia Taylor, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Dunaway should get stretch powers, because Hollywood is cruel about women aging and Mr. Fantastic’s power can be used like Botox (see also: Elasti-Woman on Doom Patrol). Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 July 2025 According to our expert, washing denim too often breaks down the fibers more quickly and that is especially true if the jeans have any stretch fibers in them, which many of them do. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
  • Eudia and Haroun used the Summit to announce a major expansion of their AI for Good initiative, investing resources to remove systemic barriers and foster economic mobility and opportunity, especially for Arizona’s underserved communities.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
  • This growth includes the expansion of distribution centers, attack surfaces, and opportunities for malicious actors.
    Leeza Garber, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • His new contract follows that of cornerback DaRon Bland, who signed a four-year, $92 million extension after the team opened up cap space by trading Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first round draft picks.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Familiar features will include the Magic Edge cantilevered dining pods – Edge Series ships feature the iconic Magic Carpet, a multi-use space that seems to float over open water – and Infinite Verandas.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Dimon said that JPMorgan is privy to a spectrum of data around consumers, corporations and global trade.
    Hugh Son, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The film operates under the Primetime banner, neurodivergent actor-producer Victoria Emslie’s platform dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices across disability, gender, global majority and sexuality spectrums.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The young family were the only people on the block who elected to ride out the storm, believing the stark warnings were being exaggerated.
    Curtis Bunn, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2025
  • The fact that the company exaggerates the job numbers, as well as the true number of states where the plane produces a significant number of jobs does not alter the fact that economic arguments carry a lot of weight in Congressional decisions on weapons procurement.
    William Hartung, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The group routinely calls for removing books at public schools and played a role in Scottsdale Unified School District's decision to pull 16 books from its library shelves in February.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The air fryer itself is easy to clean by pulling the trays out and wiping the inside with a wet cloth.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • And the time required to develop new mines is, if anything, lengthening.
    Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Turning for home, two-lengths in front, her stride continued to lengthen.
    Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Schiffer said Meghan had been too risk averse in the first two seasons, but could try to pitch a slightly different concept for a third season that pushed the boundaries far more.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • His analysis of Paqueta’s performances in the four games under scrutiny was that his fouls were simply typical of an attacking midfielder trying — not very successfully — to help his team defensively.
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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