stretch/spread/extend

[moonlike]

Hi
Oh my goodness! Another confusing word. This time stretch/spread/ and extend .
The example sentence is "If the city keeps spreading, our local forest will disappear". Could you kindly tell me if we can use stretch or extend here as well?
Thanks a million.

 

[SoothingDave]

"Expanding" works. I wouldn't use "extending." "Stretching" implies that there isn't enough to cover the length, like when you have to stretch a belt to make it fit.