straightening (out)

verb

present participle of straighten (out)
as in smoothing

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightening (out)
  1. smoothing
  2. fraying
Verb
  • At-home chemical peels can help maintain certain results by exfoliating dead skin cells, smoothing texture, and gradually fading lingering discoloration.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Oils are best thought of as a strand treatment, smoothing the cuticle, cutting frizz and reducing breakage during brushing and styling.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of smoothing
Verb
  • The murder of two Israeli soldiers in the West Bank is the jumping-off point for a large-scale invasion of the Palestinian territory, a move that would further test the nation’s fraying relationship with the United States.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2026
  • During the Lin regime, one source told us that relationships with filmmakers were fraying.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of fraying
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.

Browse Nearby Words

straightening
straightening (out)
straightening (up)
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Cite this Entry

“Straightening (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightening%20%28out%29. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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