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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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 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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for outstretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstretch
Verb
  • Bell Media, meanwhile, initially sought damages but settled the legal dispute in October after extending its partnership with Warner on HBO and HBO Max content for multiple years.
    Amber Dowling, Variety, 13 June 2025
  • Two of the stools have legs that extend over the round seat, while the other two have legs that attach underneath the stool.
    Jacqueline Tempera, People.com, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • The wait seemed endless, especially given all the compensatory picks that lengthened the seventh round.
    Michael Silver, New York Times, 20 May 2025
  • And this oversized cut and loose silhouette suits Princess Kate particularly well; the high-waist fit visually lengthens her legs, while the angular cut of the blazer is confident and structured.
    Lina-Marie Baatz, Glamour, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Trump’s memo will go into the history books as a moment when presidential power expanded to put under his control a military force aimed at U.S. civilians.
    Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • Stablecoins are often treated as satellites of U.S. monetary policy—dollar proxies that expand liquidity and shore up Treasury demand.
    Jemma Green, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • By 2005, wolf territory in Idaho stretched from near the Canadian border, south to Interstate 84 and east from the Oregon border to the Montana and Wyoming borders, the wolf team noted in its annual report.
    Clark Corbin, Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2025
  • Employees' responsibilities were redistributed, stretch limits and recovery times were set and managers were held accountable for pacing.
    Apryl Evans, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • The outdoor sale area opens on June 16, and the indoor sale begins on June 18.
    Susan Soldavin, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2025
  • Comparable sales includes sales at all locations, physical and online, open greater than 52 weeks (including remodels and relocations) and excludes closed stores.
    Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • Tacoma did its own analysis and found that people with a regular housing voucher, and no time limit, actually fared better at increasing their incomes and moving on.
    Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 7 June 2025
  • Mahan won his first term as mayor in 2022 with 51.3% of the vote after residents pushed to move the mayoral election to align with the presidential one to increase voter turnout.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretch. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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