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
  • Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
  • The Lambert, North Oconee and Lake Oconee Academy girls continued to extend their dominance in high school golf, while two other schools earned their first titles as the GHSA championships concluded Tuesday throughout the state.
    Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • It’s made to lengthen, lift, and separate lashes without clumping, and comes in both soft black and rich brown.
    Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
  • Ukraine has lengthened its striking arm and is now wreaking havoc across European Russia, much of which is now vulnerable to drone attacks.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Officials allege the group sold the oil under false pretenses and used the profits to sustain and expand the original food fraud scheme.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
  • The potential downside of a long layoff has been a hot topic in baseball ever since MLB expanded its playoff field in 2022, awarding first-round byes to the top-two seeds in each league.
    Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Holmgren is remarkably efficient, stretches the floor and finishes everything.
    Law Murray, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • But after leaping and stretching his torso over the top of the wall, the ball fell just out of his reach.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026
Verb
  • The Pinstripe Bowl between Penn State and Clemson featured teams that opened the year with national championship aspirations but combined for 13 regular-season victories.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • Scheffler has struggled with opening rounds for most of the year since opening with a 63 in his season debut at The American Express, his only victory.
    Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Salah’s comments followed a limp 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa on Friday that increased criticism of Slot and questions about his future in the job.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • In Los Angeles, for example, the city spent more than 50 million dollars in 2021 on policing homelessness, yet unsheltered homelessness still increased.
    Shianne LeClaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretch. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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