1
as in expanses
a wide space or area
a narrow stretch of beach below the cliffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in whiles
an indefinite but usually short period of time
there was a cardinal at our bird feeder for a short stretch last spring
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
as in distances
the space or amount of space between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects
the longest stretch of the drive without any place to get gas
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in exaggerates
to add to the interest of by including made-up details
it was stretching the truth to say she'd been in the movies: she was once an extra whose scene was cut in the final version
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in lengthens
to make longer
the time it would take to fix the car got stretched from three hours to two days when the part we needed had to be ordered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in tries
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
your whining is stretching my patience to the limit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of stretches
Shivika Verma,
Mercury News,
6 July 2026
Tents, cabanas and canopies have been banned along stretches of the Jersey Shore for the last two years.
—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2026
Elsewhere on campus, bass-heavy dance music pulses from a crowded gym class, where an energetic instructor leads around 30 trainees through squats, stretches and lifting drills.
—
Christopher Clark,
NPR,
5 July 2026
As fencing students began to leave or do cooldown stretches, Sullivan continued to practice her footwork and precision with her foil by a target bag.
—
Elijah Polance,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2026
Certain stretches of the East Coast, however, are more likely than others to see shark activity.
—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2026
Travelers can take their pick from a range of scenic spots, from the surf-friendly South Beach Park to quieter stretches of Wabasso Beach Park and the aptly named Golden Sands Park.
—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
3 July 2026
The state’s large population, high number of vehicles and long stretches of intense summer heat all contribute to the elevated risk.
—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
Paraguay wins after a marathon match that saw Germany live in the attacking third for large stretches of the game.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
The entire design grew around the Ficus Nitida, which stretches from the main deck through an oval void of approximately 172 square feet to the upper deck.
—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
30 June 2026
Shabo Winery, located near the village of Shabo, continues a winemaking tradition that stretches back more than 2,000 years while focusing on indigenous varieties like Telti-Kuruk.
—
Emily Cappiello,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
The coastal district stretches from Palm Beach County down to Miami Beach.
—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
The primary to represent the upstate New York district, which stretches from the Canadian border to straddling the northern Albany suburbs, became increasingly bitter as Constantino and Smullen threatened legal action against each other over claims made during the campaign.
—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
The impact stretches beyond North Park.
—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
The president’s penchant for the palindromic number stretches back months.
—
David Hickey,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
The district, which stretches from Peachtree Corner to just north of Lawrenceville, has been comfortably Democratic since 2022, but Democrats worried the seat would flip to Republicans because the race would be decided in last week’s primary runoff election.
—
Sophia Eppley,
AJC.com,
22 June 2026
Noun
Washington recognized various organizations turning out for the event and then led some group stretches.
—
Shivika Verma,
Mercury News,
6 July 2026
Tents, cabanas and canopies have been banned along stretches of the Jersey Shore for the last two years.
—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2026
Elsewhere on campus, bass-heavy dance music pulses from a crowded gym class, where an energetic instructor leads around 30 trainees through squats, stretches and lifting drills.
—
Christopher Clark,
NPR,
5 July 2026
As fencing students began to leave or do cooldown stretches, Sullivan continued to practice her footwork and precision with her foil by a target bag.
—
Elijah Polance,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2026
Certain stretches of the East Coast, however, are more likely than others to see shark activity.
—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2026
Travelers can take their pick from a range of scenic spots, from the surf-friendly South Beach Park to quieter stretches of Wabasso Beach Park and the aptly named Golden Sands Park.
—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
3 July 2026
The state’s large population, high number of vehicles and long stretches of intense summer heat all contribute to the elevated risk.
—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
Paraguay wins after a marathon match that saw Germany live in the attacking third for large stretches of the game.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
Verb
Los Angeles stretches its NL West lead to 11 games and maintains MLB’s best record as Ohtani’s star power turns Sacramento’s nominal home crowd into a roaring Dodgers road show.
—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
The entire design grew around the Ficus Nitida, which stretches from the main deck through an oval void of approximately 172 square feet to the upper deck.
—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
30 June 2026
Shabo Winery, located near the village of Shabo, continues a winemaking tradition that stretches back more than 2,000 years while focusing on indigenous varieties like Telti-Kuruk.
—
Emily Cappiello,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
The coastal district stretches from Palm Beach County down to Miami Beach.
—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
The primary to represent the upstate New York district, which stretches from the Canadian border to straddling the northern Albany suburbs, became increasingly bitter as Constantino and Smullen threatened legal action against each other over claims made during the campaign.
—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
The impact stretches beyond North Park.
—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
The president’s penchant for the palindromic number stretches back months.
—
David Hickey,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
The district, which stretches from Peachtree Corner to just north of Lawrenceville, has been comfortably Democratic since 2022, but Democrats worried the seat would flip to Republicans because the race would be decided in last week’s primary runoff election.
—
Sophia Eppley,
AJC.com,
22 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretches
Noun
-
Surrounded by wide open expanses of the Santa Monica Mountains, this modern abode has a direct connection with its surroundings via the sliding doors and casement windows that swing open to beckon in fresh air and sunlight.
-
For example, the warmer temperatures in the El Niño region are happening in the context of warmer than normal temperatures across vast expanses in the Pacific.
Noun
-
UCHealth’s decision to postpone surgeries whiles staff addressed the sterilization problem stands out from other hospitals that have found themselves in similar situations.
Noun
-
Shah adds that many women feel their best when ferritin levels are at least between 40 and 70 ng/ml for optimal energy and hair health, even if lab ranges suggest lower levels are ‘normal’.
-
No other existing or planned telescope can observe through multiple ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum simultaneously on such short notice.
Noun
-
Instead of limiting where an electric bike can go, its folding design creates more opportunities to ride, making spontaneous adventures easier than ever while still providing the comfort needed for longer distances.
-
They’re also suited for specific boating environments, with canoeing most frequently seen in rivers, lakes, and shallower waters while sailboats are more tailored for wider distances and uses.
Verb
-
Drama hides a hero’s flaws; comedy exaggerates it.
-
Tristan Baker, head of performance at Go Perform, an athletics performance and coaching facility, and a former strength and conditioning coach at Reading, believes a still photograph exaggerates how unstable the movement appears.
Verb
-
Dembele’s pace stretches defenses, Olise has developed into one of Europe’s most creative playmakers and Barcola's intelligent movement constantly pulls defenders out of position.
-
As Otto groans, Rhaenrya pulls back and cleaves off Otto's head.
Verb
-
Whether they’re kitten-heeled or a tall pump, this shoe design lengthens the leg, offsetting the Bermuda shorts to create a streamlined silhouette.
-
These Levi’s 314 Shaping Straight Jeans and Classic Straight Jeans, for example, have an elongating silhouette that lengthens the legs.
Verb
-
North Field on Tinian, which was once the busiest airport in the world, was shut down after the war but is undergoing renovation to become an alternate base to Guam as Washington tries to disperse its assets around the region.
-
Against this bedlam, Rhaenyra tries to fashion herself a real queen.
Cite this Entry
“Stretches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretches. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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