straddle

verb

Definition of straddlenext
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.

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Dissimilar Words
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

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 Mythical creatures, too, soaked in the supernatural; half-men, half-animals who evaded classification—centaurs and satyrs, fauns and werewolves—straddling the boundary between man and beast. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 It’s situated in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness north of Yellowstone National Park straddling the Montana-Wyoming border. — Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 29 July 2026 Her approach often straddles a line that others have not been able to successfully navigate, one GOP strategist said. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 27 July 2026 The takeaway may be that organizations are better off committing to one model than trying to straddle both. — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for straddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straddle
  1. perch
  2. span
  3. shake
  4. sit
  5. intersect
  6. duck
  7. bestride
  8. comprise
Verb
  • Japanese sweet potatoes) that are carved and perched sculpturally on small, nicely weighty tortillas.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • There’s also a devil, all too ready to perch on his other shoulder, too.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of perch
Verb
  • Over a career spanning six decades, Herzog has become one of the most influential figures in international cinema, working on around 80 films often alighting on the subjects of obsession, extreme situations and the contradictions of human nature.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Whatnot’s categories span Pokémon cards to designer bags to fresh food.
    — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of span
Verb
  • The heat now poses an additional danger to residents still shaken by the quake, many of whom are sleeping in their cars after their homes were damaged or destroyed.
    — Yumi Asada, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Chad Gable and Penta shook hands as Gable’s family watched from ringside.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of shake
Verb
  • The 130 units sit adjacent to the MARTA Lindbergh Station and will be accompanied with 10,000 square feet of affordable commercial space.
    — Elijah Megginson, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • In the living room, Arne Jacobsen’s sculptural Egg chair sits alongside a deep-green sofa by George Smith—a holdover from Hulka’s first concept for the room, and now in conversation with the willows outside.
    — Laura Regensdorf, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of sit
Verb
  • Their experiences became defining examples of how sports, politics, public health, and individual liberty intersected during one of the most polarizing periods in modern sports history.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • For Orlando families, workers and businesses, the practical response begins with accurate records, a clear plan and a realistic understanding of how immigration agencies and court proceedings can intersect.
    — Ascend Agency, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of intersect
Verb
  • To win a second four-year term, Miami-Dade Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins is running as a fighter against bad development and against ducking tough decisions.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Martin allegedly had both hands on the child's torso when officers found him and was trying to duck down and hide between the seats, according to the warrant cited by the outlet.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of duck
Verb
  • His career essentially bestrides the slow-to-grow Before Times and the apparent soccer paradise of today, which was fortified by remarkable facilities, boosted by an ideal central location and forged by an eagerly welcoming host city that slugged above its weight to make this happen.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The Lone Star State is already a literal powerhouse that bestrides domestic energy production.
    — Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of bestride
Verb
  • The camera setup comprises 54 Vicon Valkyrie cameras and 10 Vicon Vero cameras (all Vicon motion capture cameras) and the stage supports up to 20 performers simultaneously.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Last year, first-time visitors to Las Vegas comprised 10% of travelers, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's annual visitor profile study.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of comprise

Phrases Containing straddle

Browse Nearby Words

strabismus
straddle
straddled
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Cite this Entry

“Straddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straddle. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of straddle for Spanish Speakers

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