as in uncurling
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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Recent Examples of straightening
Relax the tail by straightening it out.
—
Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Corry said, demonstrating the command of her muscles by flexing and straightening her knees in a quick dip.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Why spend hours straightening and perfecting when this wig comes ready-made for that polished, effortless vibe?
—Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025
At most, the phone slightly bends before straightening back.
—Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Start by straightening your legs and extending your arms forward if this feels comfortable.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Se-ri comes up with a plan to get an expensive hair straightening treatment that involves helping out a transfer student from Seoul, named Han Yun-Seok (Gong Myung).
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Some Black women have turned to consistent heat-styling and chemical straightening treatments to more easily manage their natural hair.
—Annie Blay, Allure, 23 Dec. 2024
Lift the barbell by straightening your legs and back simultaneously, keeping your core engaged and your back flat.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 13 Dec. 2024
Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Corry said, demonstrating the command of her muscles by flexing and straightening her knees in a quick dip.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Why spend hours straightening and perfecting when this wig comes ready-made for that polished, effortless vibe?
—Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025
At most, the phone slightly bends before straightening back.
—Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Start by straightening your legs and extending your arms forward if this feels comfortable.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Se-ri comes up with a plan to get an expensive hair straightening treatment that involves helping out a transfer student from Seoul, named Han Yun-Seok (Gong Myung).
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Some Black women have turned to consistent heat-styling and chemical straightening treatments to more easily manage their natural hair.
—Annie Blay, Allure, 23 Dec. 2024
Lift the barbell by straightening your legs and back simultaneously, keeping your core engaged and your back flat.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 13 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightening
unwinding
Verb
-
The sturdy set is ideal for serving after-dinner drinks to guests or just unwinding solo by a cozy fire.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
-
This bearish configuration served to confirm the distribution phase, as stronger volume on down days indicated institutions were unwinding positions.—
David Keller,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightening. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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