1
as in to perch
to be in or move into a seated or standing position with your legs on either side of (something)
She straddled the horse and waited for her riding partner to mount.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to span
to be on both sides of (something)
The town straddles the river. The movie straddles the line between comedy and drama.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to shake
to agree with or seem to agree with two opposite sides of (something)
The politician straddled the issue for weeks.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of straddle
Their leaders are straddling a fine line between capitulation and confrontation, hoping to avoid becoming collateral damage.
—
Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
The following recipes straddle the line between side salad and side dish with hearty and filling ingredients like beans, pasta, nuts, bacon and barley.
—Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 8 Apr. 2025
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area straddles Kentucky and Tennessee, protecting the Cumberland River.
—Food Drink Life, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
The line the Canadiens were hoping to straddle was keeping the future front of mind, the ultimate goal of being a Stanley Cup contender year after year, but also taking care of the present and the modest goal of playing meaningful games at the end of the season.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straddle
Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
The following recipes straddle the line between side salad and side dish with hearty and filling ingredients like beans, pasta, nuts, bacon and barley.
—Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 8 Apr. 2025
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area straddles Kentucky and Tennessee, protecting the Cumberland River.
—Food Drink Life, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
The line the Canadiens were hoping to straddle was keeping the future front of mind, the ultimate goal of being a Stanley Cup contender year after year, but also taking care of the present and the modest goal of playing meaningful games at the end of the season.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straddle
Verb
-
In the sixth inning, with Manny Machado perched on third base, San Diego’s Xander Bogaerts hit a flyball to Doyle in center.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
9 May 2025
-
The home, which was originally built in 1928, is perched atop a rocky bluff with private access to 200+ ft. of beach below.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
7 May 2025
Verb
-
The nine-city tour will span the U.S. and Europe with the grand finale taking place in Las Vegas on July 26.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
-
Devices vary, spanning every model of smartphone and tablet.—
Vinayak S,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
The duo was also spotted shaking hands at the kickoff of the three-day celebration in another photo.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
3 May 2025
-
In contrast, Dutton struggled to shake off comparisons to Trump by his opponents, not just because some policies appeared to have been inspired by the US leader.—
Hilary Whiteman and Angus Watson,
CNN Money,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
Mary Boulder is sitting next to me, and she’s got a stopwatch.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
14 May 2025
-
On the island of Saint Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, sits a property that truly knows how to put on a show.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
As conceived by Mendes, who will direct the four movies, one from each band member’s point of view, that will intersect to tell the astonishing story of the greatest band in history.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
7 May 2025
-
That same pattern — Mr. Trump making policy pronouncements or posting messages that intersected with World Liberty’s business interests — occurred again in March.—
Eric Lipton,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Sure enough, within minutes of ducking into the foliage, our heroes hear an eerie whistling and see torches in the darkness.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
-
After giving Harry some crap for previously ducking him, Donnie patches the call through to Kat's private jet.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
11 May 2025
Verb
-
Humanity bestrides the planet, explores the cosmos, and continues to reshape itself because humans are the world’s most inventive, adaptable animal.—
Nicholas Eberstadt,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Oct. 2024
-
The United States will once again bestride the world like a colossus deterring enemies and making other nations safe from the likes of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.—
Armstrong Williams,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).—
Keith Caulfield,
Billboard,
4 May 2025
-
And that repeating first couplet — which comprises six of the poem’s 18 lines and occupied the first day of this challenge — will surely jingle in your pocket for a long time to come.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straddle. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share