stretch 1 of 4

stretch

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verb (1)

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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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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stretch

3 of 4

adjective

stretch (out)

4 of 4

verb (2)

as in to expand
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area you can't stretch out your legs to the point where you're blocking the aisle

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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 stretch
Noun
After a strong stretch, Brighton has failed to pick up a win in four straight matches, making this a get-right spot for the club. David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025 Truth be told, the final stretches of sentimentality might’ve been a bit much, if Gaga hadn’t earned the right to get lovey-dovey with us by being such a scary goofball earlier on. Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
That Add Value To The Certificate Program Assignments should stretch learners and not just restate the material. Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 Because your stomach stretches, moves, and flexes more than other areas, Ellis notes, navel piercings can be more prone to irritation than other piercings and can have a longer healing process. Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Among the women’s looks featured are the new relaxed trouser, the body contour collection of tops, and 50/50 rigid stretch jeans (with a rigid-front and stretch-back design). Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025 A lot of jeans are made with a bit of elastane to give it stretch, but that will just not give you this kind of fit and drape. Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretch
Noun
  • The funds will be used to bankroll the expansion of the flagship FPSO business as well as a growing green energy portfolio under Yinson Renewables, a subsidiary that has solar and wind power projects in multiple countries.
    Jonathan Burgos, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The expansion comes after Party City filed for bankruptcy last year and closed its 700 US stores in late February.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Lance Bass Lance Bass is trained to go into space, but has never made the trip.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • That’s when Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova launched by herself, becoming the first woman in space.
    Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • On the other end of the spectrum, those who majored in education earn less than a 6% median ROI.
    Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
  • On one end of the spectrum, institutional investors are dismayed at the company’s pullback from its ambitious climate targets.
    Justin Worland, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Maintain a safe distance from water, wet items, and metal objects.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2025
  • One of the most significant breakthroughs in diagnostics has been the shift toward bringing testing closer to people, reducing barriers like distance, time, and lack of privacy.
    Jennifer Lotito, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The device uses microneedles and flexible wiring to capture neural signals just beneath the skin, enhancing signal quality while minimizing invasiveness.
    Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Want a new career that’s higher-paying, more flexible or fulfilling?
    Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • From colorful stripes to designs on the expanse of the nail, the simple base can offer variations according to current trends.
    Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2025
  • The Keep is just that good, despite being laid out on a rocky expanse of land that Bergin, who has been involved in more than 100 course projects, says wasn’t exactly made for golf.
    Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Heat hung around for a while but gave up too many second-chance points, committed too many mindless miscues (14 turnovers) and couldn’t stop Cleveland’s offense from behind the three-point line or on forays to the basket.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The young hatch and remain inside for a while before dispersing into the water to build tiny bells of their own.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Now Trump is once again withdrawing the U.S. After Francis' 2015 encyclical, researchers examined a broad range of views, well beyond the President.
    Jeff Brady, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Periods of mourning range from three days (Chile, Dominican Republic, Lebanon and Spain) up to nine days, which is the traditional period of mourning at the Vatican, known as Novemdiales, during which daily masses and ceremonies are being held in memory of the pope.
    Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretch. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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