to stretch

Examples

• All

• The yoga instructor asked everyone to stretch their arms and legs to improve flexibility.

• Now stretch your back and move your wings up to the sky.

  Migration (2023)

• So I take my time, you know, stretch out, switch feet.

• Oh, maybe exercise and then maybe really stretch myself and go on a date.

• And I force myself to stretch and open in those moments.

• Well, honey, I have to stretch my legs.

  The Hills Have Eyes (2006)

• So I'm going to go take a class and kind of stretch my body out.

• Participants were encouraged to warm up and stretch properly before testing.

  Academic text (2012)

• Early in the morning, Milton woke and stretched, refreshed by the cool air.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Stretch out your arms.

  The Lost City (2005)

Synonyms

E

to extend

vsto stretch

265 2.7

To reach out with your body or make something longer

focuses on body movement to loosen muscles and for exercise

H

to hold out

vsto stretch

89 3.5

To put a hand forward to show or give something

is used to ease muscles and lengthen body parts for exercise

R

to reach out

vsto stretch

73 2.7

To stretch a hand toward something to touch it

is used especially for lengthening body parts to relax muscles or exercise

S

to stretch out

vsto stretch

20 3.4

Move part of your body, for example your arm, to reach or see something

is used for exercise and to loosen muscles

O

to outstretch

vsto stretch

9 3.9

To make something reach forward, like an arm or wing

is used mainly to loosen muscles by lengthening body parts

L

to loosen up

vsto stretch

• Informal

8 3.0

To make muscles less tight and more ready for exercise by stretching

is about active lengthening to full body parts for exercise

L

to limber up

vsto stretch

• Informal

2 3.4

Prepare your body for exercise by stretching or doing light movements

focuses on warming and loosening rather than full lengthening

S

to stretch forth

vsto stretch

1 6.1

To reach out a hand or arm toward something to offer help

involves lengthening to relieve tightness or for exercise rather than thrusting

R

to rax

vsto stretch

• Archaic

9.9

To stretch the body or limbs to make them feel less stiff

focuses on easing muscle tightness by full body lengthening

U

to unlimber

vsto stretch

8.8

To move or stretch your muscles so they are ready to work

aims to prepare muscles rather than just lengthen them

Antonyms

C

to contract

52 3.0

Become smaller or tighter, for example when a muscle shortens

Idioms

S

to stretch the truth

• Informal

5 5.3

To make a story seem better than it really is

B

by no stretch of the imagination

• Informal

8.1

Not true or possible in any way

Phrasal Verbs

S

to stretch out

21 2.5

Lie down with your body straight to rest or relax

S

to stretch out

20 3.4

Move part of your body, for example your arm, to reach or see something

S

to stretch along

2 4.2

To continue for a long distance along a narrow area

S

to stretch forth

1 6.1

To reach out a hand or arm toward something to offer help

S

to stretch one's budget

1 3.7

Make your money last longer by spending carefully

Compounds

S

stretch mark

13 3.7

A narrow line on the skin that appears after fast weight gain or pregnancy

S

stretch pants

• US

4 2.3

Trousers made from elastic fabric that fit close to the body

S

stretch receptor

• Specialized

1 7.2

A small part in a muscle that senses when it stretches

F

full stretch

• UK

5.7

A situation when you use all your energy and ability

R

Rose Mary Stretch

8.4

A gentle stretch that relaxes the back and increases flexibility

S

stretch reflex

• Specialized

6.5

An automatic muscle tightening that happens when a muscle is pulled

How Stretched

to overstretch

1 5.6

to extend

265 2.7

to stretch

185 1.5

reach

81 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology