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↔️ To make longer 🤥 To exaggerate 🧘 To extend body 🛣️ A length of area 🙄 An exaggeration ⏳ A period of time 🤸 An exercise 🧵 Elasticity 🧵 Elastic 🚗 Long vehicle
to stretch

to stretch

192 4.8
Make something seem bigger than it really is
  • verb
  • /strɛtʃ/
translation icon : forzar
  • Look, I understand that some of this might seem to stretch credulity, but, remember, big, new scientific ideas are always greeted with some resistance.
  • stretch the limits
  • stretch the boundaries
  • stretch scarce resources

You set goals to reach inside and stretch and go where you've never been.

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Examples

  • Books should include challenging vocabulary related to important concepts that stretch children's language.

    Academic text (2012)

  • You have every right to stretch the truth if necessary to save his life.

    Rampage (1987)

  • The problem is we stretch that system to the limit.

  • OK, now the question is, how far do you stretch it before it pops?

  • We decided to stretch the envelope.

    Air (2023)

  • How far can we stretch your dad's inheritance?

    Tales from the Other Side (2022)

  • Don't you think that's stretching it a little bit?

    The China Syndrome (1979)

  • I've attended some of their workshops and found they really stretched me as an educator.

    Academic text (2015)

  • You have every right to stretch the truth if necessary to save his life.

  • By adding seltzer and juice, you stretch the number of people a bottle of wine serves.

Synonyms

to exaggerate
vsto stretch
258 3.1

To say something is larger, better, or worse than it really is

adds a sense of excess or unreasonable widening rather than simple lying
to broaden
vsto stretch
92 3.9

To make or become wider and include more things

can also imply going beyond reasonable limits or diluting original sense
to widen
vsto stretch
85 2.5

To make something have more space from one side to the other so it fits or moves more easily

focuses more on overdoing or diluting meaning rather than neutral widening
to enlarge
vsto stretch
70 3.0

To make something bigger in size or amount

adds the idea of exaggeration or unreasonable extension beyond normal use
to extend to
vsto stretch
58 3.4

Reach up to a certain point or limit

differs by implying unreasonable broadening or exaggeration rather than mere limit reach
to lengthen
vsto stretch
34 2.4

Make something longer in size, distance, or time

emphasises stretching beyond reasonable duration or making things last longer
to dilute
vsto stretch
26 4.9

To make a product worse by adding cheaper ingredients

matches the weakening sense but also includes exaggeration and overbroad use
to expand
vsto stretch
20 3.4

To make something seem larger or more important than it is

covers both exaggerating and stretching meaning beyond sensible limits
to extend
vsto stretch
11 5.1

To make food or a dish go further by adding cheap ingredients

shares the idea of making something last but also covers broadening meaning
to amplify
vsto stretch
9 5.6

To make something seem bigger or more important than it really is

also broadens or dilutes use, not only increases perceived importance
to debase
vsto stretch
7 6.9

To make something worth less by adding cheaper material

covers lowering quality but the key also covers stretching meanings or amounts
to stretch the truth
vsto stretch
  • Informal
5 5.3

To make a story seem better than it really is

makes meanings or use broader or longer beyond what is reasonable
to adulterate
vsto stretch
  • Specialized
5 8.2

To make food or drink impure by adding cheaper ingredients

overlaps in weakening quality while also meaning unreasonable broadening or exaggeration
to embiggen
vsto stretch
  • Slang
1 9.9

To make something bigger, often in a joking way

includes informal enlargement but also carries sense of overextension
to take too far
vsto stretch
1 5.3

To go beyond what is reasonable or acceptable

is similar but also includes diluting or exaggerating meanings or amounts

Antonyms

to restrict
361 3.1

Limit how much people can use or access something

to diminish
201 3.7

To become less in size, importance, or value

Idioms

to stretch the truth
  • Informal
5 5.3

To make a story seem better than it really is

by no stretch of the imagination
  • Informal
8.1

Not true or possible in any way

Phrasal Verbs

to stretch out
21 2.5

Lie down with your body straight to rest or relax

to stretch out
20 3.4

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

to stretch along
2 4.2

To continue for a long distance along a narrow area

to stretch forth
1 6.1

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

to stretch one's budget
1 3.7

Make your money last longer by spending carefully

Compounds

stretch mark
13 3.7

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

stretch pants
  • US
4 2.3

Trousers made from elastic fabric that fit close to the body

stretch receptor
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A small part in a muscle that senses when it stretches

full stretch
  • UK
5.7

A situation when you use all your energy and ability

Rose Mary Stretch
8.4

A gentle stretch that relaxes the back and increases flexibility

stretch reflex
  • Specialized
6.5

An automatic muscle tightening that happens when a muscle is pulled

How Much

to exaggerate
258 3.1
to overextend
19 6.3
to stretch
192 4.8
to extend
680 3.2

Surface Forms

stretch infinitive
stretched past
stretched past participle
stretching present participle
stretches third person singular

Etymology

Stretch comes from the old English streccan meaning 'to pull long'. If you 'pull' the meaning of a word or idea beyond its normal limit, you are 'stretching' it, so stretch can mean to broaden or exaggerate something.