as in enlarged
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1
as in exaggerated
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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2
3
as in lengthened
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
as in tried
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
your whining is stretching my patience to the limit
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Recent Examples of stretched
Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 29 May 2026
Once activated, the Fe-SMA bars aim to shrink back to their pre-stretched shape.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
It’s formulated with calcium to promote new cell growth, adenosine to fill in wrinkles, collagen to maintain your skin’s density and thickness, elastin to restore stretched skin, and Vitamin D for rejuvenation.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
America’s health care system is straining under the twin pressures of an aging population and a stretched pool of health care providers.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Despite this pullback, the stock still trades at a stretched nine times trailing revenue—well above its historical average of three times.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
But the short stay stretched into a month, and the once-polite guest turned rude, demanding and increasingly hostile, according to Vanity Fair.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Yet again, millions of Florida residents were left without power for days as utility companies were stretched thin.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Keeping your calf muscles strong and stretched enough can help protect your ankles.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Piles of debris stretched almost into the street.
—Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Sanoja made it 3-0 with an RBI single in the sixth and pinch-hitter Liam Hicks stretched the lead to four with a sacrifice fly.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
The silver hide rumpled and stretched over the massive body.
—Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
Some of the orders last for months; others have stretched on for years.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026
Adjective
Wiley often wears her hair in a stretched state, combing through her gray coils with a blow dryer before doing a braid-out.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 29 May 2026
Once activated, the Fe-SMA bars aim to shrink back to their pre-stretched shape.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
It’s formulated with calcium to promote new cell growth, adenosine to fill in wrinkles, collagen to maintain your skin’s density and thickness, elastin to restore stretched skin, and Vitamin D for rejuvenation.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
America’s health care system is straining under the twin pressures of an aging population and a stretched pool of health care providers.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Despite this pullback, the stock still trades at a stretched nine times trailing revenue—well above its historical average of three times.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
The lead stretched to 12 before Brunson and the Knicks rallied again, cutting the lead down to five halfway through the quarter.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
But the short stay stretched into a month, and the once-polite guest turned rude, demanding and increasingly hostile, according to Vanity Fair.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Yet again, millions of Florida residents were left without power for days as utility companies were stretched thin.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Keeping your calf muscles strong and stretched enough can help protect your ankles.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Piles of debris stretched almost into the street.
—Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Sanoja made it 3-0 with an RBI single in the sixth and pinch-hitter Liam Hicks stretched the lead to four with a sacrifice fly.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
The silver hide rumpled and stretched over the massive body.
—Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
Some of the orders last for months; others have stretched on for years.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretched
Adjective
-
Everyone wears white, and an enlarged portrait of Paul sits on an easel overlooking the quad.—
Zinzi Clemmons,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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But during a routine 6-month-old pediatric appointment, an enlarged liver prompted additional testing that ultimately changed the course of their lives.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The discrepancy was spotted by Reuters, which claims that data Tesla gave to authorities in Sweden and the Netherlands grossly exaggerated the safety record of FSD in the United States.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
17 June 2026
-
Replay shows the defender never made meaningful contact and the offensive player overly-exaggerated the contact (flopped).—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
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In a lot of cases, Earth’s gravity probably captured these objects and pulled them in, adding them to its growing bulk.—
Kiona N. Smith,
Space.com,
17 June 2026
-
The Telegraph reports that the artist pulled a Russian flag from his pants and threw it in a trash can.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Although the list of edible foods that double as fish bait could be lengthened, there are as many natural baits little known or used by the average fisherman.—
Byron W. Dalrymple,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
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Whether enjoyed neat, over ice, lengthened with premium tonic, or served in the elegant simplicity of a Martini, Cygnet is crafted to elevate every gin-drinking occasion.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
1 June 2026
Verb
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California state workers are likely to lose access to United Healthcare plans next year as CalPERS prepares to switch to Sutter Health Plan after the insurance behemoth tried to substantially increase 2027 premiums for public employees.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
-
Later that month, a state marshal tried to serve the pair at the property itself, but was unable to do so, according to court records seen by the outlet.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
In April, American Airlines tightened restrictions on portable chargers that passengers can bring on flights.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
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While attempts to recycle gangue date back to the 1950s, the economic incentive shifted after 2010 as natural sand supplies tightened and Beijing locked in its national carbon targets.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
The pressure reading the eye chart Few things get my heart racing like racing to sit in that weird padded chair at one end of the room while trying to read small letters off of a mirror at the other end of the room.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
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The Princess of Wales‘ bespoke ensemble by the British designer included an off-white, satin coat dress with short lapels and padded buttons down the front.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
15 June 2026
Verb
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According to the agreement, the two sides are supposed to negotiate the issues in 60 days but Baghaei said the deadline could be extended if necessary.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
From packed streets to neighborhood businesses, the excitement surrounding the team's title has extended well beyond basketball.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stretched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretched. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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