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 ).
were 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.
In June, museum staff mounted a protest over conditions at the museum, saying the crowds were stretching the facility’s infrastructure as well as personnel in charge of monitoring its collection.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2025
Olson’s lawyer said his client never did anything improper in his official capacity to help Zuberi and prosecutors were stretching facts to fit an unfair narrative.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 15, 2023
Some were stretching in the Texas sun, while others used mobile phones to call friends and family back home or in the US.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2022
But we were stretching it to go seven, so we didn’t push it further than that.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 5, 2020
She pulled on the rails of the bedstead, as if she were stretching, but her knees were folded up to her belly.
From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago
