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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 straightening
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
The wireless gadget uses flexing copper plates that conform to the shape of your hair, straightening it quickly with minimal heat exposure.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
The unique design reinvents straightening and drying into one no-damage process.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024
Other than the straightening attachment, which straightens both wet and dry hair in as little as one pass, both the FlexFusion and the FlexFusion + Straight work as a traditional blowdryer and include the brush attachments, Auto-WrapCurlers and Styling Concentrator.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
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
The wireless gadget uses flexing copper plates that conform to the shape of your hair, straightening it quickly with minimal heat exposure.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
The unique design reinvents straightening and drying into one no-damage process.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024
Other than the straightening attachment, which straightens both wet and dry hair in as little as one pass, both the FlexFusion and the FlexFusion + Straight work as a traditional blowdryer and include the brush attachments, Auto-WrapCurlers and Styling Concentrator.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightening
unwinding
Verb
-
Ahead of you lies a day—or a week, a fall, or a lifetime—of leisurely unwinding.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Talks are focusing on unwinding that whole cut in gradual monthly increments and the group has reached an agreement in principle to raise output by at least 135,000 bpd from October, two sources said.—
Robert Ilich,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightening. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share