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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to lengthen
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
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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
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
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The law extended the program for two years, setting the current expiration deadline and giving lawmakers another opportunity to revisit possible reforms.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
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However, the association between the two nations on nuclear energy is expected to extend beyond the construction of the power plants.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trouble is, the Legislature has had no trouble finding excuses to enact and renew an ever-lengthening list of exemptions.—
Martin Dyckman,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
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This gin sour lengthened with soda water is a simple yet tasty delight of a drink.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While the senator comes to the position after more than a dozen years in Congress, and with the management experience of running an expanding family plumbing business in Oklahoma, he has not been seen as a key force in immigration issues.—
Rebecca Santana,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Mar. 2026
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When that happens, Stanley hopes the itinerary will expand beyond Dilworth, NoDa and Plaza Midwood.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Transportation Security Administration officers are nearing a breaking point as a weeks-long partial government shutdown stretches on, threatening airport operations in North Texas and leaving workers without pay, union leaders say.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
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His collaborators included some of the most significant directors in Hollywood history, among them Michael Curtiz, John Frankenheimer, Sidney Lumet and Martin Ritt, with a roster of stars stretching from Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney to Paul Newman, Rock Hudson and Barbra Streisand.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In 1958, Golestan, having just opened his own studio, hired Farrokhzad, who was already well known for boldly candid love poetry, as an assistant.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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So please open your eyes and look at what’s happened in Iran.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Call-out rates have increased at some airports, leading to longer screening times for many passengers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
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As temperatures swell, so too does the cooling demand which can increase the strain on the power grid of an entire region.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outstretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstretch. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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