as in extensive
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 outstretched
Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
As mourners arrived at Middleton High School, they were greeted by a three-story flag billowing from the outstretched ladder of Middleton Rural Fire Department’s Engine 51.
—Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
Most Miami Beach residents and visitors have likely seen the giant bronze sculpture of an outstretched arm reaching to the sky as hundreds of small human figures cling to it and each other with expressions of agony.
—Lauren Costantino
march 27, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
The slot attendant counted lots of hundred-dollar bills into my outstretched hand.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
Mayer came on as a pinch-hitter in the seventh and drove a double to the warning track in left center off Johnson (0-1) that was just beyond the outstretched glove of Reds center fielder TJ Friedl.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
God brought us out with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Leaves dance far overhead on the outstretched limbs of trees older than you, creating a lightshow of sun beams bouncing from cloud to earth and back again.
—Outside Online, 18 Mar. 2026
Birmingham's Sixteenth Street Baptist Church still welcomes visitors with outstretched arms and a spirit of hope.
—John Archibald, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Instead, the Lakers superstar pulled up straight over the top of Bryant’s outstretched arm, dropping a fadeaway jumper softly through the net.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
As mourners arrived at Middleton High School, they were greeted by a three-story flag billowing from the outstretched ladder of Middleton Rural Fire Department’s Engine 51.
—Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
Most Miami Beach residents and visitors have likely seen the giant bronze sculpture of an outstretched arm reaching to the sky as hundreds of small human figures cling to it and each other with expressions of agony.
—Lauren Costantino
march 27, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
The slot attendant counted lots of hundred-dollar bills into my outstretched hand.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
Mayer came on as a pinch-hitter in the seventh and drove a double to the warning track in left center off Johnson (0-1) that was just beyond the outstretched glove of Reds center fielder TJ Friedl.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
God brought us out with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Leaves dance far overhead on the outstretched limbs of trees older than you, creating a lightshow of sun beams bouncing from cloud to earth and back again.
—Outside Online, 18 Mar. 2026
Birmingham's Sixteenth Street Baptist Church still welcomes visitors with outstretched arms and a spirit of hope.
—John Archibald, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstretched
Adjective
-
The second-floor galleries dedicated to Arts of Asia and the Islamic world were realized after extensive construction, and the Great Hall was renovated in 2016, among other projects.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
3 Apr. 2026
-
After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the ’90s and 2000s, under Senegalese presidents Abdou Diouf and Abdoulaye Wade, who extended Leopold Senghor’s vision of art as statecraft, Dak’Art benefited from government backing not just as a matter of policy but because these presidents understood that culture mattered.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Baylor extended its lead to 48-27 during the second half, fueled by a 17-1 scoring run.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But having firefighters wait before starting preparations also delays when they can be dispatched to emergencies, which has lengthened response times — and has likely cost many lives across the city, the 60-page audit says.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Analysts also raised concerns about the strength of the 10-year service agreement, suggesting it could be lengthened to hold data center companies accountable for long-term infrastructure costs.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Even before the first atomic detonation at the Trinity test, James Franck, Eugene Rabinowitch, Leo Szilard and others issued a report warning of the far-reaching consequences of unleashing the atomic bomb, highlighting the dangers of a nuclear arms race.—
Daniel Holz,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
World leaders have struggled to end Iran's stranglehold on the waterway, which has had far-reaching consequences for the global economy and has proved to be its greatest strategic advantage in the war.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The war in Iran and the ensuing collapse in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has driven more cargo to Pakistani ports and effectively expanded their role in wider trade throughout South and Southeast Asia.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
To help financially vulnerable property owners get through taxes, Bristol offers senior volunteer tax credits and senior circuit-breaker programs, and has expanded its veterans tax exemptions.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
My parents took me on my first flight at three months old and never stopped, raising me in a world that stretched far beyond home.—
Shayla Martin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The other day, a squad of dancers stretched and limbered up in the halls as, outside, the lions stayed still.—
Naaman Zhou,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The errand conveniently provided the opportunity for a longish highway test of Lexus’ newest luxury people-mover.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
In 2002, the city opened its first havnebad, a public harbor bath, and Leonardsen, along with thousands of her neighbors, took the plunge.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The three combined hits are the lowest total for a game at Progressive Field, which opened in 1994.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outstretched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretched. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
