STRADDLED Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

straddled

verb

past tense of straddle

as in perched

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

as in spanned

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

as in shook

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 straddled The dress straddled the line between classic LBD styling and playful plumage. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026 Born in Tunisia and raised in Italy, Talem’s life and acting career has straddled Europe and the Middle East. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026 My career straddled the introduction of video reviews, and being able to move on from major errors was a crucial part of the job. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Freddy straddled all these worlds, observing their points of intersection and grooves of adjacency. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 The following week, Rahe answered a phone call from Al Ameskamp, the owner of one of the two farms the movie ballfield straddled. — CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 Baez threw the driver on the ground, straddled him and pressed a gun to his back. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026 Pelosi then straddled the gator’s tail and got on top of the animal while the officer continued to restrain in the front, the video showed. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 12 June 2026 Throughout much of his career, Bruno Mars has straddled the line between pop and R&B. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for straddled

Verb

Perhaps the most special suite is the Romeo e Giulietta, an intimate two-story villa perched high on the cliff above the sea with a terrace equipped with a heated infinity pool and solarium.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Kirk was killed by a sniper perched on a rooftop more than 400 feet away, authorities said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of perched

Verb

The most recent capstone project, another full remodel of a house purchased by the district, spanned three years’ worth of cohorts.

— Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
Across a high-energy midday set that spanned their chart-topping singles and fan favorites, the six moved across the stage with the confidence of a group accustomed to one another’s rhythms, while fans in the crowd danced along in the stands.

— Crystal Bell, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of spanned

Verb

O’Shea shook hands with the referee and his assistants but there was no attempt to shake the hand of Israel captain Manor Solomon.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
The policeman held on to Shorty’s biceps and shook them slightly, both giving the sense of a loving embrace and using his strength to lift Shorty ever so slightly off the ground and clear of the entrance.

— Anand Giridharadas, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of shook

Verb

When not giving water, Radha squatted under the awning of the vegetable-oil store next to the liquor shop.

— Akhil Sharma, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026
For most of that session, Melton squatted behind the plate, sweating and catching bullpens for pitchers who had more experience and more college offers.

— Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of squatted

Verb

Several readers have spoken of appreciation for the columns of mine that intersected sports and society, such as excoriating the NFL for its blackballing of Colin Kaepernick.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Soares’s work intersected with some of the defining figures in international music, from Argentine tango composer and arranger Astor Piazzolla to jazz legends Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of intersected

Verb

Even so, the show ducked and dived the long arm of the network fuddy-duddies beautifully, skirting the edge of censorship with a knowing wink, clever pun, and out-of-this-world comedic timing.

— Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 22 Sep. 2026
But then, Jackson ducked low beneath two heavyweight defenders.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of ducked

Verb

This fine establishment has sat at the same address in the Williamsburg Bridge's shadow since 1887, and the interiors carry about as many frills as your average public house—dark wood, plaster walls, and so on.

— Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
The birthday boy and his big sister Sterling Skye, 3, each sat between one of their parents’ laps.

— Angel Saunders, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024