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
About 50 miles outside of Manhattan and abutting the pleasantly low-key Rockrimmon Country Club, the epic 270-acre Stamford spread spans 18 tax parcels that straddle the border between New York and Connecticut with about 95 acres in the Constitution State and 173 acres in the Empire State.
—
Mark David, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2026
Head to Anna’s, which straddles the line between bohemian arts enclave and hipster hangout, and take a tour through a menu of delicious small plates.
—Outside, 17 Feb. 2026
Today, the money and dirt tracks of Riyadh provide a showcase for American and Japanese contenders, while Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s Godolphin outfit straddles world racing from its Meydan (UAE) and Newmarket (UK) bases.
—Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
For more than six decades the Reverend Jesse Jackson stood as a towering figure, straddling the racial justice movement in America and mainstream party politics, bridging the civil rights struggle of the 1960s with the dramatically more confrontational Black Lives Matter campaign.
—Jimmie Briggs, Vanity Fair, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for straddle
Mark David, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2026
Head to Anna’s, which straddles the line between bohemian arts enclave and hipster hangout, and take a tour through a menu of delicious small plates.
—Outside, 17 Feb. 2026
Today, the money and dirt tracks of Riyadh provide a showcase for American and Japanese contenders, while Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s Godolphin outfit straddles world racing from its Meydan (UAE) and Newmarket (UK) bases.
—Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
For more than six decades the Reverend Jesse Jackson stood as a towering figure, straddling the racial justice movement in America and mainstream party politics, bridging the civil rights struggle of the 1960s with the dramatically more confrontational Black Lives Matter campaign.
—Jimmie Briggs, Vanity Fair, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for straddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straddle
Verb
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Maude Apatow perched at a table with a group of friends, Jordan Firstman rolled in through the back entrance, and Ella Emhoff was early on the scene.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
15 Feb. 2026
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The subterranean lounge is built on the garden level of a brick townhouse perched atop the hills of Mount Adams, Cincinnati's most beautiful neighborhood.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And there are likely more revelations and resignations to come, given the millions of documents spanning many years in the files released.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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Going on a trip that spans the beach, a city, and a safari?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As information has slowly revealed more about the ski trip and those who died in the devastating avalanche, grief has shaken communities across the region.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Knight shook her head and reiterated that this was indeed her final Olympic game.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The only sitting justice who is older than Alito is Thomas, who is among the longest-serving justices in history.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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There was a young woman sitting across the aisle.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Passengers would travel in autonomous pods on a dedicated path that doesn’t intersect with regular traffic.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
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Adapting and expanding upon a lean Don Winslow novella, Layton adds many sometimes unnecessarily complex ingredients to the pot, with characters intersecting and allegiances and motivations often contradicting one another.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Across the world’s six biomes, Roar league players are bona fide icons, selling out arenas and ducking the paparazzi.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
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And Wolf doesn’t duck that reality.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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We are accustomed to billionaires who bestride the landscape with the imperial arrogance of Roman emperors.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
14 Dec. 2025
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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
Verb
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Back in Manchester, Best’s son Calum presented an exhibition called Twenty Years Of Immortal Legacy, comprising 40 artworks celebrating many of his father’s iconic moments.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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The thermal springs comprise multiple pools filled with mineral water to emulate the healing properties and overall experience of natural hot springs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straddle. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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