as in extensive
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1
as in extended
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lengthened
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
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Recent Examples of outstretched
Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Then Bad Bunny swooped in, the award in his outstretched hands, and handed it to the child.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
Almost immediately, Ceili changes her tune, trying a piece of the special food in Albert's outstretched hand.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Lutz hit it well, but the ball grazed off an outstretched right hand, pushing it wide left — Taylor’s right hand.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
By sitting on a rotating stool with weights in their outstretched hands, students emulate a figure skater by pulling their arms inward and spinning much faster as their mass moves closer to their axis of rotation.
—Amy Pope, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
Texas Tech guard Snudda Collins, who led all scorers with 28 points, came down the next possession and hit a three-pointer over the outstretched arms of Hunter for the go-ahead basket.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Feb. 2026
The original design featured a sphere of outstretched hands.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
Most Miami Beach residents have probably seen, at least from afar, the memorial’s sculpture of a giant outstretched arm reaching to the sky as hundreds of small human figures cling to it and each other with expressions of agony.
—Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The veteran sharpshooter received a pass from fellow newcomer Tyus Jones, took one dribble and drilled an in-rhythm triple over the outstretched arms of Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Then Bad Bunny swooped in, the award in his outstretched hands, and handed it to the child.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
Almost immediately, Ceili changes her tune, trying a piece of the special food in Albert's outstretched hand.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Lutz hit it well, but the ball grazed off an outstretched right hand, pushing it wide left — Taylor’s right hand.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
By sitting on a rotating stool with weights in their outstretched hands, students emulate a figure skater by pulling their arms inward and spinning much faster as their mass moves closer to their axis of rotation.
—Amy Pope, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
Texas Tech guard Snudda Collins, who led all scorers with 28 points, came down the next possession and hit a three-pointer over the outstretched arms of Hunter for the go-ahead basket.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Feb. 2026
The original design featured a sphere of outstretched hands.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
Most Miami Beach residents have probably seen, at least from afar, the memorial’s sculpture of a giant outstretched arm reaching to the sky as hundreds of small human figures cling to it and each other with expressions of agony.
—Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstretched
Adjective
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Models require extensive training to enable them to identify everyday objects to interact with, which means that simple tasks like picking up fruit can be challenging in robotics.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Coastal Fish also offers some of the best seafood around, along with an extensive wine list and cocktail menu.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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It was originally supposed to expire in 2021 but was extended for five more years.—
VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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Georgia Southern extended its lead to as much as 10 in the fourth before a 3-pointer from Texas State guard Deja Jones cut the deficit to five.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Adjective
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The spa deserves a mention, as does Frank’s Bar, where cocktails are shaken to a backdrop of paintings by Victorian botanical artist, Marianne North, and velveteen bar stools overlook far-reaching views across the land.—
Sarah Leigh Bannerman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
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Here’s what to expect from Thursday night’s far-reaching event.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The enhanced subsidies, which expanded eligibility both by lowering the percentage of household income people had to pay toward their care and removing an income cap, expired at the end of last year.—
Julie Appleby,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
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Russia has been seen modernizing its nuclear facilities, and in recent years, China has expanded its main test site by digging new tunnels.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Kravitz was originally trained as a K–6 educator in Boone, North Carolina, yet her ambitions stretched beyond the classroom.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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As negotiations stretched on, the district announced that schools would be closed on Monday, prompting families to scramble for childcare and alternative plans.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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When the front door opens, they’re greeted by an androgynous person with longish hair, thick eyebrows and a deep voice.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
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Pontiac’s Firebird had a longish life in car years, with four generations spanning 1967 to 2002.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Seattle opened as the favorite to win next year’s Super Bowl on BetMGM.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Her grandfather opened Lewis Street Auto Body, which is still in the family.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outstretched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretched. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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