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
With her eyes closed, Frenza straddles a huge felled tree covered in moss.
—
Agnieszka Szpila, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Their latest batch of farewell dates includes yet more double-headers with the B-52’s—bringing last year’s North American co-headline run to the United Kingdom—as well as another trek across North America that straddles their Coachella appearances in April.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
His Floyd constantly straddles the line between sweet and pathetic, often falling off one side or the other.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent forecasts estimated that inflows to Lake Powell, a key reservoir that straddles the Utah-Arizona border, will be the third-smallest on record.
—Mira Rojanasakul, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
The Gauge began in 2021 as a way of tracking contemporary TV viewing, which increasingly straddles linear and streaming.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
Kansas City straddles two states, and while most of the main attractions (and restaurants) are on the Missouri side, Kansas City, Kansas, has a lot to explore, too—including the nearly 60 taquerias and mercados that form the city’s official Taco Trail.
—Liz Cook, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2026
The desert valley, which straddles the California-Nevada border, is oft-touted as the hottest, driest place on Earth.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
At its 2026–2027 new series launch at Hong Kong FilMart on March 17, the studio unveiled a sprawling slate that straddles prestige long-form dramas and a rapidly expanding microdrama division, signaling a dual-track strategy aimed squarely at Asia while keeping one eye firmly on global audiences.
—Faye Bradley, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Agnieszka Szpila, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Their latest batch of farewell dates includes yet more double-headers with the B-52’s—bringing last year’s North American co-headline run to the United Kingdom—as well as another trek across North America that straddles their Coachella appearances in April.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
His Floyd constantly straddles the line between sweet and pathetic, often falling off one side or the other.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent forecasts estimated that inflows to Lake Powell, a key reservoir that straddles the Utah-Arizona border, will be the third-smallest on record.
—Mira Rojanasakul, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
The Gauge began in 2021 as a way of tracking contemporary TV viewing, which increasingly straddles linear and streaming.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
Kansas City straddles two states, and while most of the main attractions (and restaurants) are on the Missouri side, Kansas City, Kansas, has a lot to explore, too—including the nearly 60 taquerias and mercados that form the city’s official Taco Trail.
—Liz Cook, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2026
The desert valley, which straddles the California-Nevada border, is oft-touted as the hottest, driest place on Earth.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
At its 2026–2027 new series launch at Hong Kong FilMart on March 17, the studio unveiled a sprawling slate that straddles prestige long-form dramas and a rapidly expanding microdrama division, signaling a dual-track strategy aimed squarely at Asia while keeping one eye firmly on global audiences.
—Faye Bradley, Variety, 17 Mar. 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 park spans nearly 1 million square kilometers to the east of the Great Barrier Reef.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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The construction spans 5 miles between West Burleigh Street and West Good Hope Road and includes multiple ramp improvements and roadway rehabilitation.—
Adrienne Davis,
jsonline.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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From Monday to Friday, the reception area will serve as a nutrition center for athletes, offering smoothies, protein shakes, granola and anything else an athlete could need.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
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The company, founded in 1980, is best known for its meal replacements, protein shakes, nutritional teas and vitamins.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The new school sits beside Star Middle School on Pollard Lane, something that has raised concerns from nearby residents about traffic congestion.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Mar. 2026
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Coby White plays, Grant Williams sits When the injury report came out not long before tipoff, signaling who Charles Lee had available, one key name was missing while another was expected.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The block intersects Central Avenue in east Charlotte, maps show.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
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Article continues below Early observations have revealed that the asteroid travels a near circular path around the sun that intersects Earth's orbit twice over the course of its 354-day period.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
24 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 even if Booker’s appearance evades the FCC’s scrutiny, the commission is closely watching TV talk programs, with The View in particular a subject of interest.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Straddles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straddles. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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