outstretch

Spread arms wide

To outstretch is to extend or spread out fully, especially arms or limbs: She outstretched her arms to embrace him.

The past participle outstretched appears more often than the verb itself: outstretched hands, outstretched wings.

The word suggests reaching toward something or someone, often in welcome or supplication.

reach

extend

Make longer or larger

  • reach outInitiate communication with someone
  • armUpper body limb
  • graspSeize or understand

embrace · span · lengthen · elongate · unfurl · unfold · spread · open wide · expand · protrude

expansive

vast

Extremely great in size

open · sprawling · spread out · extended · far-reaching · wingspan · canopy · expanse · panoramic · unfolded

Opposites
extension/expansion

outstretchretract

Withdraw something said

withdraw · contract · pull in · draw in · fold

Phrases
Family

outstretched, outstretching, outstretches

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G