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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of straddles
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
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
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
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
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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Budge now represents the 5th District — which spans most of central Rancho Cordova east of Whiterock Park — after City Council maps changed in 2023.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
24 Mar. 2026
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Aubert, whose previous work spans both film and television in Québec’s independent sector, serves as creator, writer and director across all six episodes.—
JD Linville,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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President Barack Obama shakes hands with Shigeaki Mori at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 27, 2016.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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Famously there is a leap day every four years—that shakes things up.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The model stepped out for dinner at The Bird Street Club in West Hollywood in a pair of mini bootcut jeans, a style that sits close to the thigh and falls into an extremely subtle kick flare.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
22 Mar. 2026
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The mall itself sits at the intersection of the tollway and West Park Boulevard.—
Lilly Kersh,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her path repeatedly intersects with that of police officer Huang Ming, who is working a case involving a series of deaths that appear, on the surface, to be accidents.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
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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
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 25 Mar. 2026.
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