stretch
verb (used with object)
to draw out or extend (oneself, a body, limbs, wings, etc.) to the full length or extent (often followed byout ).
was stretching
-
past progressiveof stretch.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This weekend’s atmospheric-river-powered storm created a long band of rainfall that on Thursday was stretching across the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 14, 2025
My arm was stretching into one of my jacket's sleeves when the first text about Matthew Perry’s death gently buzzed my phone.
From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2023
He was stretching during play, then eventually took off his captain’s armband and simply waited for play to stop so he could depart.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 20, 2023
Muchova - who was stretching between points - simply kept hitting big shots.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 8, 2023
The goat’s dawdling was stretching Anya’s time in the woods, and she really wanted to get out fast.
From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack
