outstretch

verb

out·​stretch ˌau̇t-ˈstrech 

outstretched; outstretching; outstretches

transitive verb

: to stretch out : extend

Synonyms

• expand
• extend
• fan (out)
• flare (out)
• open
• outspread
• spread (out)
• stretch (out)
• unfold
• unfurl

Examples of outstretch in a Sentence

the dog had outstretched his legs and was lying across the width of the doorway

having outstretched our lunch break beyond all reason, we reluctantly headed back to work

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology created a minuscule folding quadcopter that can outstretch its arms and get airborne within one second. —Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2015

Verlander is now set to cash in with a multi-year deal, one that may outstretch what Houston is willing to spend. —Michael Shapiro, Chron, 22 Nov. 2022

Siqui Sanchez/Getty Images What would happen if a crowd of people stormed the gates of Area 51 looking for aliens, and all of them ran really fast with their arms outstretched behind them? —Jacey Fortin, New York Times, 15 July 2019

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

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

outstretch

verb

out·​stretch au̇t-ˈstrech 

: to stretch out : extend