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
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
Some members of the Giants were stretching down the left-field line.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2021
Abiy acknowledged recently that the highly mobile Tigrayan guerrillas were stretching the Ethiopian military, springing ambushes from the rugged highlands where they hide.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 3, 2021
Now it felt like they were stretching and shaking it out.
From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce
