stretch of the imagination

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.

Just like 2024’s troubled “It Ends with Us” — the first big-screen adaptation of one of Hoover’s novels— and last fall’s “Regretting You,” “Reminders of Him” isn’t good by any stretch of the imagination.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

"Zirkzee isn't Eric Cantona, by any stretch of the imagination, but he needed to be out there for physicality, for presence, for experience."

From Barron's • Dec. 31, 2025

"This has not been an easy matter by any stretch of the imagination," she said.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025

But, Newsom warned, the night would be worse: “By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2025

“Two: Piper Milly’s winning science project was absurd. Shooting marbles at an unbaked cake? That’s just sad. Three, and most importantly: Piper Milly is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a person who excels.”

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein