as in to unbend
to cause to follow a line that is without bends or curls
straighten that extension cord—it should be just long enough to reach the wall outlet
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of straighten
This undoubtedly plays a role in why so many Black women feel pressure to straighten their hair especially before significant life events like weddings, graduations and job interviews.
—
Tayler Adigun, Essence, 16 Apr. 2025
For me, perhaps most tellingly, my straightening ritual had become a form of security.
—Liz Krieger, Allure, 15 Apr. 2025
Sasaki tweaked his delivery during a bullpen session more than a week ago — aligning his back leg and shoulder to better emphasize his extreme leg kick and straighten his direction to the plate — and found a way to throw fastballs consistently over the plate.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Winning brings a feeling of pride that straightens the back and widens the stride.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straighten
Tayler Adigun, Essence, 16 Apr. 2025
For me, perhaps most tellingly, my straightening ritual had become a form of security.
—Liz Krieger, Allure, 15 Apr. 2025
Sasaki tweaked his delivery during a bullpen session more than a week ago — aligning his back leg and shoulder to better emphasize his extreme leg kick and straighten his direction to the plate — and found a way to throw fastballs consistently over the plate.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Winning brings a feeling of pride that straightens the back and widens the stride.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straighten
Verb
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The paper watch sensors survived preliminary stress testing that involved bending and unbending for 300 cycles.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
9 Jan. 2017
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Ceaseless in his service, unbending in his dignity, and revered for his commitment to our common humanity.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
29 Dec. 2024
Verb
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One fall day in 1856, a family of Eastern gray squirrels in rural New York uncurled from a cozy nest in a chestnut tree, looked around, and joined half a billion other squirrels on a multi-state walkabout.—
Christine Peterson,
Vox,
23 Dec. 2024
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Exhale, lower the bridge down, then uncurl the trunk to bring the right hip and shoulder back to the ground.—
Jen Murphy,
WSJ,
16 June 2022
Cite this Entry
“Straighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straighten. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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