Definition of outstretchnext
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 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 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
  • Kawhi Leonard made two free throws, but the Rockets scored the next four points to extend the lead.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The vote on Tuesday sought to extend previous language that blocked tariff repeal resolutions from getting a vote, which expired at the end of January.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • While that was to be only three weeks, Mohammadi’s time out of prison lengthened, possibly as activists and Western powers pushed Iran to keep her free.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Her medical furlough was initially to be for three weeks, but her time out of prison lengthened, possibly on account of activists and Western powers pushing Iran to keep her free.
    Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • For many schools, that means expanding technical education classes, building partnerships with local businesses, and getting creative with transporting teens — some just on the cusp of learning to drive — to part-time work.
    Carley Lanich, IndyStar, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Powered by rapid advances in embodied intelligence, China’s humanoid robots are advancing rapidly, expanding their potential roles in both industrial settings and home environments.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Most people at the meeting, held over Microsoft Teams, expressed excitement at the potential for conservation in an area stretching from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance, plus 200 yards inland.
    Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Set the scene Arriving at Four Seasons Costa Palmas feels like driving toward a kasbah in Morocco—miles of stark desert stretch out on either side before the landscape suddenly opens to an oasis on the edge of the Sea of Cortez.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Mark your calendar On Thursday, Malia scored another exclusive, reporting on LACMA’s announcement that the David Geffen Galleries, the pinnacle of a two-decade campus transformation, will officially open April 19.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The hunt was opened to public, DIY hunting in 2020.
    Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The program will start with 3,000 volunteers to be selected next summer and will gradually increase to 10,000 per year by 2030.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Allowing its use on these two common crops will drastically expand how much is applied and increase harm, advocates say.
    Michael Phillis, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretch. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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