1
as in perches
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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2
as in spans
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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3
as in shakes
to agree with or seem to agree with two opposite sides of (something)
The politician straddled the issue for weeks.
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Recent Examples of straddles
Cinematographer Ben Goodman straddles the line between both with sharp lensing that places particular emphasis on overhead shots, underlining Caplan’s horizontal helplessness.
—
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
That was followed by Lake Hartell, which straddles Georgia and South Carolina, Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, and Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho rounding out the top five.
—Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Some areas, like the Green River basin above Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which straddles the Wyoming-Utah border — have received above-average precipitation.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
The 400-acre amusement park that straddles the North Carolina and South Carolina border in Charlotte and Fort Mill.
—Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
His latest work treasures motion in both its study of dance music that straddles the 20th and 21st centuries and its gentle tug away from pure pop.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Other perks include soft-close drawers, easy assembly, and an adaptable look that straddles multiple reference points.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Mar. 2026
The space straddles romance and brutalism and was renovated by the CSMN Architects design firm.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026
Sapporo's residents are no less obsessed with onsen culture than other Japanese, as Elijah and I discovered during an overnight trip to Jozankei, which straddles a scenic ravine over the Toyohira River near Shikotsu-Tōya National Park, a 45-minute drive from central Sapporo.
—Alex Halberstadt, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
That was followed by Lake Hartell, which straddles Georgia and South Carolina, Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, and Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho rounding out the top five.
—Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Some areas, like the Green River basin above Flaming Gorge Reservoir — which straddles the Wyoming-Utah border — have received above-average precipitation.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
The 400-acre amusement park that straddles the North Carolina and South Carolina border in Charlotte and Fort Mill.
—Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
His latest work treasures motion in both its study of dance music that straddles the 20th and 21st centuries and its gentle tug away from pure pop.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Other perks include soft-close drawers, easy assembly, and an adaptable look that straddles multiple reference points.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Mar. 2026
The space straddles romance and brutalism and was renovated by the CSMN Architects design firm.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026
Sapporo's residents are no less obsessed with onsen culture than other Japanese, as Elijah and I discovered during an overnight trip to Jozankei, which straddles a scenic ravine over the Toyohira River near Shikotsu-Tōya National Park, a 45-minute drive from central Sapporo.
—Alex Halberstadt, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straddles
Verb
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Live streams from entertainment events like the Grammys or Golden Globes aren’t typically perches for controversy, but, says Anthony McCartney, AP’s entertainment and lifestyles editor, celebrities will sometimes be asked to weigh in on recent headlines.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
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Even the squirrels in the backyard and the bird that perches on the deck are put on notice.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The district spans a swath of Chicago’s South Side and the south suburbs.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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The period, which spans four weeks leading up to Christmas, is reserved for prayer, reflection and preparation with themes like hope, peace, joy and love.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Famously there is a leap day every four years—that shakes things up.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
13 Mar. 2026
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Warning shot Rick Jackson shakes hands with Georgia Republican Party Accounting Director Karen Hentschel after qualifying to run for governor at the State Capitol on Friday.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The planet in question, L 98-59 d, sits roughly 35 light-years away.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The school sits just down the street from the Quindaro Ruins.—
Sofi Zeman,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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He was located west of the crime scene, walking along New Leicester Highway, which intersects Patton Avenue.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
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AThat’s because awards season typicallyalways intersects with the collections, but this yearseason the timings serendipitously aligned for Moore to be able to attend.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the video, the subject ducks his head in the opposite direction of the doorbell camera.—
Michael Ruiz , Adam Sabes , Christina Dugan Ramirez , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Julia Bonavita , Peter D'Abrosca , Alexandra Koch , Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
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The sun ducks down and sets Conejo Mountain against warm pinks and purples, transforming the ridgeline into an epic silhouette.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The spa itself sprawls 64,000 square feet and has a cluster of treatment pavilions, fitness centers, and outdoor pools where hydrotherapy sessions are performed (my partner turned to jelly after a particularly effective water shiatsu session).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
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According to the European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS), at least 99 people have died since October 2025, mostly in the Alps — the mountain range that serves as the continent’s skiing hub and sprawls across several countries including France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But how does one set out to write a biography about the creation of an author who not only can’t be reached, but actively evades the spotlight?—
Costa Beavin Pappas,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
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The result is contrasting, suited for a composition that evades singular meaning.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straddles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straddles. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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