1
as in to extend
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area the dog had outstretched his legs and was lying across the width of the doorway

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2
as in to lengthen
to make longer having outstretched our lunch break beyond all reason, we reluctantly headed back to work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 outstretch 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 The component sounds of Spanish words, cut down to two vowels and four consonants, are conveyed by whistling, the trick being to curl your fingers against your mouth with one finger outstretched, as if your hand were a gun. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2020 And that’s Bell jogging in to score the winning run with both arms outstretched over his head to give the Diamondbacks their only world championship. Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, 10 Jan. 2020 As Congress applauded the line, Pelosi stood, outstretched her arms, and clapped slowly and deliberately, as if the clap was more in jest than sincerity. Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 23 Dec. 2019 See all Example Sentences for outstretch 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstretch
Verb
  • Sarver also wouldn’t extend the contract of Jae Crowder, or agree to trade him.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 Feb. 2025
  • Mateos also extended an offer to offensive lineman Vincent Johnson Jr. during the virtual visit.
    Richard Davenport, arkansasonline.com, 1 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Be sure your chin is parallel with the floor and your neck is lengthening up the entire time.
    Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Such enhancements can significantly lengthen potential prison terms.
    Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But the brothers were working to expand the movement.
    Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
  • During the month of January, sky gazers will be able to see four planets in one view — and come February, the parade will only expand.
    Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The spontaneity of form also allows Thatcher to stretch wholly different creative muscles.
    William Earl, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Companies need to encourage all their employees and applicants to stretch their boundaries, learn new skills and prepare themselves for the jobs of the future.
    Phillip Molnar, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • That meant the Portugal international had to turn up to training every day, but could not play in a single game until the next transfer window opened four months later, which was when Leicester registered him.
    Caoimhe O'Neill, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Mirroring that, perhaps: New Canes QB Carson Beck is somewhat surprisingly only tied for eighth in opening Heisman odds.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The value of most investments have increased significantly in the past year.
    Kerry Meagher, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The complaint data becomes increasingly valuable as insurance premium rates in New York on average have increased by double-digit percentages in recent years, raising the stakes.
    David Robinson, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near outstretch

Cite this Entry

“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretch. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

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