1
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.
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Dissimilar Words
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.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of straddle
But the adjacent plot straddling the riverbed has been taken over by galamsey workers after her brother leased his land to an Asian businessman.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
The bar somehow straddles the line between regular’s haunt and tourist attraction.
—Jake Emen, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
Mount Everest, which reaches 29,000 feet and straddles the border between China and Nepal.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
What unfolded instead was an awkward breakup, featuring Kacie crying, straddling and kissing Patrick, and admitting to cameras that she was not attracted to him.
—Joelle Goldstein, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straddle
Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
The bar somehow straddles the line between regular’s haunt and tourist attraction.
—Jake Emen, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
Mount Everest, which reaches 29,000 feet and straddles the border between China and Nepal.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
What unfolded instead was an awkward breakup, featuring Kacie crying, straddling and kissing Patrick, and admitting to cameras that she was not attracted to him.
—Joelle Goldstein, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straddle
Verb
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Founded in 1982, The property features 18 rooms, seven cabins, a spa, dining porch and wine cellar on 250 acres perched on a nearly mile-high ridgeline with mist-shrouded, forever views of the rolling hills.—
Suzanne Wright,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
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The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, noticed the black-and-white cat perched on the bottom of a shopping cart outside Target on October 4.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Wind advisories are in effect for numerous counties and cities spanning Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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The chat also spans the creator economy, the concept behind streamer-for-all service Joyn and his views on market-changing deals such as Netflix and TF1‘s channels and streaming pact in France.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Whether it’s shaken, stirred, dirty, or dry, the martini remains one of the world’s most iconic and timeless drinks.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
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Start the process by vigorously shaking or hanging then pounding the rug to remove loose dirt, crumbs, and other particles, then vacuum it thoroughly on both sides, using a canister vacuum with the hose or a high pile setting—and no beater bar!—
Jennifer Beck Goldblatt,
Architectural Digest,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Between the two lies a great outdoor bar, where all are welcome to sit and grab cocktails and snacks.—
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
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That’s lower than Sunderland, who currently sit six points ahead, with Everton’s greater survival chances reflecting their experience and squad depth.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For the newspaper's owner to have outside business holdings or activities that might intersect with coverage or commentary is conventionally seen to present at the least a perception of a conflict of interest.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
28 Oct. 2025
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It is designed to identify knowledge gaps and suggest connections, recognizing how seemingly unrelated fields, like marine biology and computing, might intersect in ways that lead to new solutions.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Take the train from Copenhagen in under three hours and wander Aarhus’s pretty streets strung with Christmas lights, ducking into boutiques and cafés before making your way to one of two Christmas markets.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
27 Oct. 2025
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Qing Yuan opened the tap, gripped the edge of the trough, and ducked his head under the water.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sovereignty, the Triple Crown Class of 2025’s Derby and Belmont victor and Saratoga-man-of-the-minute, bestrides the ultra-short Travers Stakes field of five as an undisputed equine colossus.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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The film depicts a world where the Four are something like the Beatles, the Kennedys, the Curies, and the Brady Bunch all in one, a globe-bestriding celebrity family responsible for staving off supernatural threats and, seemingly, establishing world peace.—
Derek Robertson,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Yoox and The Outnet comprise the off-price segment of LuxExperience.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
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This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, including Khalid and Diana Mirza, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straddle. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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