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
Imagine lowering your body in one straight plane, and pushing right back up and straightening your elbows.
—
Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
How To Hone And Sharpen Knives Honing Honing involves realigning the edge of the knife, straightening the existing edge to keep it slicing efficiently.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Slowly lower your right arm overhead toward the floor while simultaneously straightening and lowering your left leg a few inches (perform the movement slowly and controlled).
—Jakob Roze, Health, 28 Dec. 2025
Simply spend 60 seconds straightening your sheets, smoothing your comforter or duvet, and fluffing your pillows, and marvel at how the chore instantly makes your entire bedroom look neater.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025
Push through your left foot to jump as high in the air as possible, straightening both legs and bringing your arms together in front of your chest.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 3 Dec. 2025
The brand's signature straightening attachment uses hot air and ceramic plates to add volume and shine without all the extra heat damage.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 26 Nov. 2025
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
Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
How To Hone And Sharpen Knives Honing Honing involves realigning the edge of the knife, straightening the existing edge to keep it slicing efficiently.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Slowly lower your right arm overhead toward the floor while simultaneously straightening and lowering your left leg a few inches (perform the movement slowly and controlled).
—Jakob Roze, Health, 28 Dec. 2025
Simply spend 60 seconds straightening your sheets, smoothing your comforter or duvet, and fluffing your pillows, and marvel at how the chore instantly makes your entire bedroom look neater.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025
Push through your left foot to jump as high in the air as possible, straightening both legs and bringing your arms together in front of your chest.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 3 Dec. 2025
The brand's signature straightening attachment uses hot air and ceramic plates to add volume and shine without all the extra heat damage.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 26 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightening
Verb
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Without unbending her back, the mother arranges her mouth into a placid line.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Evenings are low-key, whether that means gallery hopping near the historical Taos Plaza (don’t miss the Taos Artist Collective), savoring hatch chile–spiked New Mexican dishes at spots like La Cueva Café and Michael’s Kitchen, or unwinding at wine bars such as Corner Office and Barra Vino.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
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Other potential legal remedies might include unwinding OpenAI’s current structure, preventing any future IPO, or forcing Microsoft to divest—all things that could significantly complicate OpenAI’s future plans.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightening. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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