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 | [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 See All Example Sentences for outstretch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstretch
Verb
  • Allen drained it to extend Charlotte’s lead to 20, and then found Dennis Schröder for a high-five as Miami called a timeout.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
  • L3Harris is pursuing an air-breathing ramjet design intended to improve fuel efficiency and extend engagement distances.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In both countries, falling fertility rates and lengthening lifespans keep worsening the fiscal picture.
    — NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Cryptographers responded by lengthening the keys, and 2,048 bits is now considered the minimum.
    — Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • An interceptor that can engage targets at greater distances could expand the area protected by existing air defense units.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Founded by three childhood friends, Olivier Bon, Pierre-Charles Cros, and Romée de Gorianoff, who were later joined by Xavier Padovani, the Experimental Group gradually expanded to encompass wine bars, restaurants, and boutique hotels.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The 49ers scored a touchdown on fourth-and-goal as running back Christian McCaffrey leaped over the pile of linemen and stretched the ball across the goal line, giving San Francisco an early 7-0 lead.
    — AJC.com, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • More specifically, the Base-01 stretches out over a patch of earthen floor measuring 183 sq ft (17 sq m) – about the same amount of floor as this handsome Ikea tiny home.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The campus opened with six students this year, but Castello has big plans for it.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Many younger consumers are gravitating toward physical products that offer experiences their phones can’t match, which happens to open a door for real family bonding.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Kim Hong-Cheol, the South Korean military official, said leaving the dispute over the military demarcation line unresolved would increase the risk of accidental clashes because troops from both sides act on their own understanding of the line.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • As rain chances increase overnight, the temperature will drop to 40 degrees.
    — Hali Smith October 23, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretch. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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