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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in to trim
to make neat
a directive for everyone to straighten up their cubicle in preparation for a visit from some corporate VIPs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of straighten
Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Then, still standing on the left leg, straighten the right leg out in front, hinging slightly at the hip.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 17 Sep. 2025
His last surgery, which straightened the lens to correct visual distortion, took place August 5.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
At most, the phone slightly bends before straightening back.
—Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straighten
Verb
Of course, Page's mother ultimately made the decision to chemically straighten her hair.
—Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Then, still standing on the left leg, straighten the right leg out in front, hinging slightly at the hip.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 17 Sep. 2025
His last surgery, which straightened the lens to correct visual distortion, took place August 5.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
At most, the phone slightly bends before straightening back.
—Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straighten
Cite this Entry
“Straighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straighten. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share