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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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 outstretch 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 | [email protected], 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 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
  • The implications of the Democrats’ current predicament extend far beyond immediate legislative setbacks.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025
  • Given the dominance of their major predator, the wolf, in mountainous and forested regions of the north, the coyote found its niche in the grasslands and deserts of North America east of the Mississippi to the Pacific and extending south into Mexico.
    Helen Whybrow July 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Dislocated joints have been repaired, tendons have been lengthened.
    Scott Craven, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025
  • With shorter, warmer winters in recent years, the season when ticks bite is lengthening.
    Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • Although the company is actively adapting—expanding into energy storage, changing billing models, and tweaking its supply chain—investors continue to be concerned about the pace and effectiveness of these strategic adjustments.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • To expand its financial services sector, the BVI is developing an International Arbitration Center, positioning itself as a premier destination for international dispute resolution.
    Panorama Media Ltd, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • In June, the average job search stretched to 23 weeks, or nearly six months.
    Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • North of the Arctic Circle, the seven main islands stretch across more than 100 miles of wild, pristine landscape.
    Phil Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • The filing window officially opened at 8 a.m. Monday for candidates looking to run for municipal office in Charlotte and Mecklenburg towns or for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education later this year.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025
  • Also in San José’s city center is the Mercado Central, a market that originally opened in 1880 and today stretches more than the length of a full city block.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Over the past year or so, those activities have increased.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2025
  • In a LinkedIn post, Farley called for speeding up permitting processes, increasing spending on vocational training, leveraging robotics and augmented reality to help with these spaces and suggested an AmeriCorps-type program for these roles.
    Breana Noble, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretch. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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