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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Dissimilar Words
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
Short Creek, a community that straddles Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, has endured the brunt of a current measles outbreak.
—
Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 2 Nov. 2025
Six Flags is parent company to Carowinds, the 400-acre amusement park that straddles the border between the Carolinas.
—Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2025
One of those pitchers straddles both challenges as a two-way player.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
Built in 1923, Memorial Stadium straddles the Hayward Fault in Berkeley’s Strawberry Canyon and sits directly adjacent to homes on Panoramic Hill.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The bar somehow straddles the line between regular’s haunt and tourist attraction.
—Jake Emen, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
Mount Everest, which reaches 29,000 feet and straddles the border between China and Nepal.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Death Valley National Park straddles the California–Nevada border.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2025
The man straddles your dad and brings his legs around his torso.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 2 Nov. 2025
Six Flags is parent company to Carowinds, the 400-acre amusement park that straddles the border between the Carolinas.
—Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2025
One of those pitchers straddles both challenges as a two-way player.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
Built in 1923, Memorial Stadium straddles the Hayward Fault in Berkeley’s Strawberry Canyon and sits directly adjacent to homes on Panoramic Hill.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The bar somehow straddles the line between regular’s haunt and tourist attraction.
—Jake Emen, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
Mount Everest, which reaches 29,000 feet and straddles the border between China and Nepal.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Death Valley National Park straddles the California–Nevada border.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2025
The man straddles your dad and brings his legs around his torso.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straddles
Verb
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The Ringed Kingfisher perches up to 30 feet above the surface, watching for medium-size fish and then plunging in headfirst with a mighty splash.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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And frequent appearances by a pigeon that perches on her windowsill like a Greek chorus, mocking her self-abasement and growing detachment from reality, seem a tad heavy-handed.—
Book Marks
August 28,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While both share similarities, including a history that spans over 200 years, the Farmers' Almanac and The Old Farmer's Almanac are different.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
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The store spans two floors and the furniture includes the Demi Lune console table by Adam Williams and another table designed by Stefan Leo.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Where to Eat Breakfast Coffee lovers will want to fuel up for a day exploring Coconut Creek at Cali Coffee, a South Florida drive-thru coffee chain known for its frozen drinks, refreshers, shakes, and more.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
10 Nov. 2025
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Advertisement Back at the bookstore, the hilarity gives way to a confrontation that shakes Lee to his core.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The garden, bearing the name of Emperor Qianlong, sits next to another popular tourist site inside the museum.—
Fred He,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Either result would greatly help TCU, which sits seventh in the Big 12 standings.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Tasha Mousseau, vice president of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, told KOSU there is existing food insecurity in rural communities and tribal nations, which intersects with the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
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The two showers are essentially one and the same; Earth intersects a single, broad stream of meteoroids at two places in its orbit on opposite sides of the sun.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Dignitaries would climb up Bab al Silsilah, a narrow limestone street that ducks under an arched gate.—
Ryan Byrnes,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The €25 million (about $27 million) glass-and-stone residence, part coastal hideaway, part statement about where the island’s luxury market is headed, sprawls across three levels on two hillside plots.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
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Today, Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis, which sprawls across the plateau above the white terraces, are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site that pulls in busloads of visitors.—
Barry Neild,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In it, his character evades deadly hunters by jumping out a hotel window and then rappelling down the side of a building while wearing barely a stitch.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
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The rest of the song fails to answer these questions and evades reference to anything else internet-y, focusing instead on litigating receipts and affairs.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straddles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straddles. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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