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 Patrick Stewart, an actor who straddled the worlds of prestige theater and mainstream success, has died at age 86. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2026 Grammer has straddled comedy and drama throughout his career. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026 The bedside phone, resembling a hotel bible, straddled the line between kitschy and cute, and local treats in the room like port wine was a nice touch. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 The dress straddled the line between classic LBD styling and playful plumage. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for straddled

Verb

The other major historical attraction is Orongo, a stone village perched on the rim of the Rano Kau volcano, which served as the ceremonial center for religious festivals dedicated to the creator god Makemake.

— Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
He was often criticized for heavy-handed tactics that became as central to his image as mayor as the white sombrero always perched on his head.

— Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of perched

Verb

The sommelier was knowledgeable and provided us with pairings that spanned traditional offerings like cheeses, as well as some surprising additions like home fries and oxtail.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
Stewart, the storied actor whose performances spanned comic book films, Shakespearean stage productions and sci-fi TV, died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of spanned

Verb

Risch initially shook the challenger’s hand, then pulled back and brushed past him.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 27 Oct. 2026
But Todd Golden’s squad shook off a sluggish first half, quickly turned a two-point halftime lead into a double-digit advantage and kept the Hatters at bay during an 85-68 win Tuesday night in the O’Connell Center.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of shook

Verb

All of a sudden, Bass was a staggering champion lunging at a revived Raman, who swung and stung and ducked the way only a hungry up-and-comer can.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Final accounting for 2025-26 revenue sharing is still to be completed, but big market clubs are on the hook for bigger bills after seven teams ducked under the luxury tax threshold ahead of the trade deadline.

— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 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