straighten

verb

straight·​en ˈstrā-tᵊn How to pronounce straighten (audio)
straightened; straightening ˈstrāt-niŋ How to pronounce straighten (audio)
ˈstrā-tᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to make straight
usually used with up or out

intransitive verb

: to become straight
usually used with up or out
straightener
ˈstrāt-nər How to pronounce straighten (audio)
ˈstrā-tᵊn-ər
noun

Examples of straighten in a Sentence

He straightened the bent antenna. The drooping flowers straightened in the rain.
Recent Examples on the Web Bend the knee to release some of the tension, and then straighten again against the resistance. Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 16 Aug. 2023 All muscles of the triceps are responsible for elbow extension, or straightening the arm. Brett Williams, Men's Health, 6 Sep. 2023 According to Atlas Obscura, there were attempts by planners to straighten the road in the 1970s. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2023 Push through all four corners of feet to straighten legs and return to standing. Megan Falk, Women's Health, 18 Aug. 2023 Sanders will miss Friday’s Pac-12 media day due to the procedure to remove a blood clot from his right leg and another to straighten toes on his left foot. Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 21 July 2023 Dealers will replace a cable harness and install a straightening cover at no cost to owners, who will be notified by letter starting July 24. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 23 June 2023 By Pat Graham | The Associated Press Deion Sanders will miss Pac-12 media day due to a procedure to remove a blood clot from his right leg and another to straighten toes on his left foot. The Salt Lake Tribune, 20 July 2023 Keep upper arms still, then press dumbbells back to straighten arms, squeezing triceps. Michelle Marques, Women's Health, 7 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'straighten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of straighten was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near straighten

Cite this Entry

“Straighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straighten. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

straighten

verb
straight·​en ˈstrāt-ᵊn How to pronounce straighten (audio)
straightened; straightening ˈstrāt-niŋ How to pronounce straighten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become straight
usually used with up or out
straighten up a room
straightened out the problem
straightener
ˈstrāt-nər How to pronounce straighten (audio)
-ᵊn-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on straighten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!