the stretch
noun
: the final straight part of a racecourse before the finish line
the horses are in the (final) stretch
—often used figurativelyShe's in the final stretch. The baby's due next month.
They will wind up the season with a winning record having won some crucial games down the stretch.
Examples of the stretch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Among the players in this tier, Räty’s contributions have stood out in a major way down the stretch.
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Thomas Drance, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
One Nets loss down the stretch, or a Toronto win, will clinch the sixth-best draft lottery odds for Brooklyn.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
Davion Mitchell, continuing to inject a spark off the bench, chipped in 12 points, nine assists, four rebounds, a block and a steal and hit two key baskets down the stretch.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
Golden’s squad erased a 12-point second-half deficit by matching Houston’s physicality, relying on defense and getting just enough scoring from All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr. and Co. down the stretch to stun the Cougars.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025
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Thomas Drance, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
One Nets loss down the stretch, or a Toronto win, will clinch the sixth-best draft lottery odds for Brooklyn.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
Davion Mitchell, continuing to inject a spark off the bench, chipped in 12 points, nine assists, four rebounds, a block and a steal and hit two key baskets down the stretch.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
Golden’s squad erased a 12-point second-half deficit by matching Houston’s physicality, relying on defense and getting just enough scoring from All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr. and Co. down the stretch to stun the Cougars.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the stretch
Cite this Entry
“The stretch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20stretch. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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