stretched 1 of 2

stretched

2 of 2

verb

past tense of stretch
1
2
as in pulled
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure I stretched a back muscle, and the pain is killing me

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in lengthened
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
5
as in tightened
to draw tight if the canvas isn't properly stretched over the frame, there will be sagging over time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 stretched
Adjective
This feed-in jumbo braid updo on Teyonah Parris is achieved by adding a lot of pre-stretched braiding hair when creating the cornrows. Omenaa Boakye, InStyle, 19 July 2026 But the case shapes alone tell you Samsung isn’t treating the Wide as a stretched version of the Ultra. Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Wiley often wears her hair in a stretched state, combing through her gray coils with a blow dryer before doing a braid-out. Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 29 May 2026 Once activated, the Fe-SMA bars aim to shrink back to their pre-stretched shape. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026 It’s formulated with calcium to promote new cell growth, adenosine to fill in wrinkles, collagen to maintain your skin’s density and thickness, elastin to restore stretched skin, and Vitamin D for rejuvenation. Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026 America’s health care system is straining under the twin pressures of an aging population and a stretched pool of health care providers. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
Eiffela Broken Dream splits the Eiffel Tower into two sections, with a cable stretched between them for a tightrope crossing. Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Blair's 52-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage in the second half stretched the Jackrabbits' lead to 49-0. ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 Southridge’s roster stretched twice as far as Killian’s on the sideline. Austin Horn august 29, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 Around midnight on Friday morning, a member of a team dispatched to monitor the lake told CCTV the barrier forming the lake stretched about 150 meters long and 40 or 50 meters high. Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 Her ventures eventually stretched into books, beauty, fragrances, food, and other consumer products. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026 The singer stretched out across the surface with her arms relaxed at her sides as the blue water filled the frame. Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Back on terrestrial radio, Parton’s reach stretched beyond country formats. Russ Penuell, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026 Hull also played with a back five, where the wing-backs stretched the width of the pitch to then put dangerous crosses into the box. Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stretched
Adjective
  • The ex-couple were again spotted together the following year at the funeral for Panettiere’s brother, Jansen, who died from an enlarged heart in February 2023.
    Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026
  • All3MI boss Louise Pedersen left, with Banijay Rights CEO Cathy Payne running the enlarged business.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But Oxley, writing in a commentary, cautioned that there are logistical hurdles and said the value of Venezuela’s reserves may have been exaggerated under former President Hugo Chavez.
    Collin Binkley, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But Oxley, writing in a commentary, cautioned that there are logistical hurdles and said the value of Venezuela's reserves may have been exaggerated under former President Hugo Chavez.
    ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Twins pulled even in the second inning on Lee’s RBI single.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • However, entering June, crude prices pulled back significantly, while retail gasoline prices declined at a markedly slower pace.
    , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Its researchers later lengthened its legs to almost 3½ feet ahead of the games, according to broadcaster CCTV.
    Reuters, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Like a single on the old-skool charts, Sean Combs‘ prison time keeps moving up and down, with the Bad Boy Records founder’s stint behind bars lengthened again.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Moczarski, who had once tried to assassinate Stroop, discovered that his cellmate was entirely unrepentant, and willing to discuss his crimes freely.
    The Week UK, TheWeek, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Because of a lack of variety in Halal restaurants, neither of the men had tried barbecue besides brisket before their trip.
    Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • China accelerated its domestic chipmaking efforts after Washington tightened restrictions on Huawei Technologies in 2020, cutting the company off from TSMC.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz remains in place, secondary sanctions are being tightened, and pressure is being increased on countries and financial networks that have allowed Tehran to circumvent previous restrictions.
    Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The backpack is also designed with a padded laptop sleeve, several pockets, and a detachable pouch for storing valuables or toiletries.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The backpack should sit at waist level, fit snugly against the back, and be worn with both padded shoulder straps, not over one shoulder.
    Michael Swartzon, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The change in leadership comes less than two years after UCLA extended Jarmond’s contract through June 2029.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Its graphics processing capabilities were repeatedly extended into new arenas, most consequentially AI computing.
    Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stretched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stretched. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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