STRETCHING Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

stretching 1 of 2

noun

as in extension

the act of making longer excessive stretching can cause the fabric to tear or lose its elasticity

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exaggeration

the representation of something in terms that go beyond the facts your constant stretching of the truth is going to get you in trouble someday

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stretching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of stretch

as in exaggerating

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pulling

to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure I stretched a back muscle, and the pain is killing me

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as in lengthening

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

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as in trying

to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress your whining is stretching my patience to the limit

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as in tightening

to draw tight if the canvas isn't properly stretched over the frame, there will be sagging over time

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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 stretching

Noun

Michelle is way ahead of me on the whole stretching and flexibility tip. — Janine Rubenstein, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 This coating also helps to prevent fading, stretching, and pilling. — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 26 June 2026 What matters is that the activity feels new and a little stretching for both partners. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026 When the bullhorn blared and the stretching ended, more than 80 Falcons players clad in red and white scattered in different directions. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 27 June 2026 Unlike dynamic stretching, static stretching holds muscles in a lengthened position for an extended period. — Hannah Harper, Health, 1 July 2026 Home exercises such as yoga, stretching, free weights, swimming, or brisk walking can be incredibly beneficial, particularly for older people. — Mark Stibich, Verywell Health, 25 June 2026 Conditions including low humidity and strong winds triggered red flag warnings across a wide swath stretching from California to southern Arizona and New Mexico. — Ty Oneil, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2026 Pre-production ran from January to April 2025, with post-production stretching from May 2025 through March 2026. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 June 2026

Verb

This can be avoided by squatting, stretching and loosening up your joints before jumping. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 What foundation needs your attention before stretching? — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026 There are brisk 7am forest walks, group yoga, breath work, and a class on Lanserhof healing exercises, which combine stretching, tapping, and movement. — Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 Construction on the complete solar array is slated to span the next two years, stretching through 2026 and into 2027. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026 Warm evenings, late sunsets, and relaxing summer nights set the stage for a month filled with celestial highlights from a pair of meteor showers to beautiful moon pairings and the luminous core of the Milky Way stretching across the sky. — Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026 Since then, the United States has expanded from 13 colonies along the Atlantic coast to 50 states stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific and beyond. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 3 July 2026 Cast your eye over the 2,000-acre Fairmount Park stretching northwest and, due east, to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which this year celebrates its own centennial. — Regan Stephens, New York Times, 2 July 2026 October 23 – November 21 What foundation needs your attention before stretching? — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretching

Noun

Pavel Mintyukov signs contract extension with Ducks Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov has agreed to five-year contract extension worth $36 million with the Ducks, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told the Associated Press.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
The 49ers have been looking for a trade partner for Aiyuk, who signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers in August 2024.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of extension

Verb

Jan Paul van Hecke of the Netherlands has been involved in two scraps already, the latest when he was hit while going for a header and crumbled, perhaps exaggerating a tad, after Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi challenged the header, as well.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
The four-time Olympian was not exaggerating.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Definition of exaggerating

Verb

And often, data centers are pulling from municipal water supplies, Anisfeld said.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Haaland’s winning goal came after another bout of yanking and pulling; the striker tried to free himself by slapping the defender’s arm away, eventually just carrying on regardless.

— Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of pulling

Verb

These large-range movements keep your body moving through the stretch, shortening and lengthening your muscles.

— Hannah Harper, Health, 1 July 2026
This cropped wide-leg style is made from lightweight denim that feels especially suited for summer, with a leg-lengthening high waist and relaxed shape.

— Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Definition of lengthening

Verb

There are pros and cons to trying to build strategies based on avoiding specific companies, noted Warren Hurt, chief investment officer at F&M Trust.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
After decades of American poobahs trying to hook mainstream viewers to watch, this feelgood story is finally doing it.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026

Definition of trying

Verb

WeTransfer built its name on sending big files, then spent the last year tightening its free plan and cutting features creative teams relied on.

— StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 5 July 2026
Trump, meanwhile, has continued tightening his grip on the Republican Party, backing primary challengers against lawmakers who have broken with him.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026

Definition of tightening

Noun

Olikara, who grew up around Wisconsin’s farmland, bristles at how routinely rural America is flattened into caricature.

— Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Honestly, Suzie has been a caricature of a demanding boss straight from some sort of rom-com situation, but Paula finally dresses her down here and the scene is delightful.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 24 June 2026