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
The 210-acre land mass mostly surrounds the future Costco, which is expected to open in the latter half of the year, and straddles the southern edge of City of Oconomowoc and the Village of Summit.
—
Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Its members include storyboard artists, character designers, animators, animation writers, and more people whose work straddles visual art and technology.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2026
This climate fiction time travel adventure straddles three timelines.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
The bighorn herd that straddles the frontier will be severed.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
If the tree trunk or bush straddles the property line, both property owners are responsible for caring for shared trees and other shrubbery.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 22 Jan. 2026
The park straddles the state line between Tennessee and North Carolina.
—Mark Price
january 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2026
Silver, on the other hand, straddles two worlds.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Glenrio straddles the New Mexico-Texas border and is home to a famous 1968 Pontiac Catalina.
—Pam Leblanc, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026
Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Its members include storyboard artists, character designers, animators, animation writers, and more people whose work straddles visual art and technology.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2026
This climate fiction time travel adventure straddles three timelines.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
The bighorn herd that straddles the frontier will be severed.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
If the tree trunk or bush straddles the property line, both property owners are responsible for caring for shared trees and other shrubbery.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 22 Jan. 2026
The park straddles the state line between Tennessee and North Carolina.
—Mark Price
january 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2026
Silver, on the other hand, straddles two worlds.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Glenrio straddles the New Mexico-Texas border and is home to a famous 1968 Pontiac Catalina.
—Pam Leblanc, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026
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
-
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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The charter lobby spans local education reformers and powerful city leaders to free-market conservatives, while traditional public schools have the support of teachers' unions, parent groups and even the Central Indiana Democratic Socialists of America.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Its mandate spans medical care, benefits processing under the Havana Act, research, and coordination with investigative elements examining potential causes.—
Olivia Gazis,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Also, unlike Premier Protein shakes, Fairlife shakes are suitable for anybody who’s lactose intolerant.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The bulletin highlights the case of James Craig, who was convicted in July of poisoning his wife’s protein shakes with a mix of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, the medication used in eye drops.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Patton said the treaty sits below Australia's alliance with the United States and its security agreement with Papua New Guinea, and is unlikely to clarify whether Indonesia would come to Australia's defense in the event of a regional conflict.—
NINIEK KARMINI,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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Robinson, nicknamed The Admiral for his stint in the Navy, often sits courtside at games and has spoken with Castle at the practice facility in the past.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This dynamic also intersects with broader investment trends.—
Monica Sanders,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The challenge is conceived as a platform for free creative expression, encouraging participants to move beyond traditional definitions and explore accessories as a language that intersects making, technology and personal vision.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
15 Jan. 2026
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 covered outdoor seating sprawls across multiple patios and bars, and there’s even some tables on the docks themselves.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
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The neighborhood sprawls for many blocks, a world apart from the skyscrapers of downtown.—
John Bowe,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Experts who spoke to Flow Space are hopeful that these new approvals will provide the necessary tools to treat a disease that evades treatment by constantly mutating.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
16 Dec. 2025
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In the film, Sea-Based X-Band Radar detects a missile flying across the Pacific Ocean toward Chicago that later evades interception.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straddles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straddles. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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