straightened; straightening
ˈstrāt-niŋ 
ˈstrā-tᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make straight
—usually used with out
straightened out his legs
2
: to make neat or tidy
—usually used with up or out
straightened up the room
straightened out the papers
: to become straight
—usually used with up or out
stopped slouching and straightened up
The river curves and then straightens out.
Examples of straighten in a Sentence
He straightened the bent antenna.
The drooping flowers straightened in the rain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
—
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025
Slowly straighten your arm back down to the floor.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Kardashian’s hair was slicked and tied into a bun in the back of her head, with a small section straightened and left out on the right.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straighten
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Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025
Slowly straighten your arm back down to the floor.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Kardashian’s hair was slicked and tied into a bun in the back of her head, with a small section straightened and left out on the right.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straighten
Cite this Entry
“Straighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straighten. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
straighten
verb
straight·en
ˈstrāt-ᵊn
straightened; straightening
ˈstrāt-niŋ
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become straight
—usually used with up or out
straighten up a room
straightened out the problem
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