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
  • From the beginning, Blake knew his responsibility extended far beyond administrative and coaching duties.
    Stephanie Tharpe, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The club just extended All-Star pitcher Seth Lugo with a new two-year contract.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Featuring 30 essential oils, the rosemary oil combats dandruff and lengthens hair.
    Amy Schulman, People.com, 23 July 2025
  • The cut helps to visually lengthen by creating soft vertical lines around round faces, and for square faces, the layers will soften the angles of the jawline thanks to their face framing qualities.
    Lorena Meouchi, Vogue, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • The 8000 was born after the engineers at GE Aerospace reconfigured the Passport’s software and McCullough’s team expanded the fuel capacity in the wings.
    Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 26 July 2025
  • Plans to redevelop and expand Whitefish Bay's Sendik's Food Market would put a new two-story store on a prominent Silver Spring Drive corner just east of the grocer's existing location, which would be demolished and turned into a parking lot.
    Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • But afterward, the musician’s fans transformed a typically morose event into a lively commemoration of life and music that stretched across Osbourne’s hometown.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2025
  • Data unification delays can stretch 12 to 18 months post-close, stalling the very efficiencies the deal was meant to unlock.
    Dave Albano, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • The episode opens with the chilling 911 call made on the night of Phoenix’s death, instantly setting the tone for a deep and emotional journey into the young actor’s life.
    William Earl, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Training camps recently opened across the NFL and the preseason opened Thursday night with the annual Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Decades of research and studies in agriculture have increased production across all crops in the U.S., said James, and cannabis can adopt those same technologies.
    Julie Weed, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • David Swartz, analyst with Morningstar who monitors Kohl’s, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY network, that Kohl’s share price has been steadily increasing in recent months.
    Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 25 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretch. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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