as in belts
a narrow and usually flat piece of a material that is used for fastening, holding together, or wrapping something
She had the nervous habit of fiddling with the strap of her watch.
Related Words
Relevance
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 straps
Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Smoldering at the camera, the star—who’s currently dating Scooter Braun—tugged down the straps of the plum-chocolate bra and covered her chest with her hands.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 7 Mar. 2026
Its asymmetrical hem hits at a midi length, and the cowl neckline combined with adjustable straps makes for a soirée-ready silhouette.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Inside the case is a classic two-compartment layout, with compression straps on one side.
—New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2026
With my full overnight kit on board (33 pounds total), the pack tended to lean backward in a way that even the compression straps and load lifters couldn’t fully compensate for.
—Corey Buhay, Outside, 3 Mar. 2026
Sure, there’s always the option to bring out the Nice Bra that sits at the back of the drawer, but sometimes straps just spoil an outfit.
—Adrianne Webster, Glamour, 3 Mar. 2026
These long straps hang off your child's car seat, acting as an additional anchor point for front-facing car seats and preventing them from tipping forward.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 28 Feb. 2026
The black sleeveless crepe midi dress with pearl accent detailing throughout featured a midi hemline with strands of pearls sewn into the straps, bust and down the front of the garment in sinuous lines.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
The adjustable buckle and ankle straps offer a secure and personalized fit, while the bouncy soles provide all-day comfort.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Smoldering at the camera, the star—who’s currently dating Scooter Braun—tugged down the straps of the plum-chocolate bra and covered her chest with her hands.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 7 Mar. 2026
Its asymmetrical hem hits at a midi length, and the cowl neckline combined with adjustable straps makes for a soirée-ready silhouette.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Inside the case is a classic two-compartment layout, with compression straps on one side.
—New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2026
With my full overnight kit on board (33 pounds total), the pack tended to lean backward in a way that even the compression straps and load lifters couldn’t fully compensate for.
—Corey Buhay, Outside, 3 Mar. 2026
Sure, there’s always the option to bring out the Nice Bra that sits at the back of the drawer, but sometimes straps just spoil an outfit.
—Adrianne Webster, Glamour, 3 Mar. 2026
These long straps hang off your child's car seat, acting as an additional anchor point for front-facing car seats and preventing them from tipping forward.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 28 Feb. 2026
The black sleeveless crepe midi dress with pearl accent detailing throughout featured a midi hemline with strands of pearls sewn into the straps, bust and down the front of the garment in sinuous lines.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straps
Noun
-
Dries Van Noten wrapped a denim trench coat in a colorful, tapestry-like belts, scrunched baggy jeans into shin-grazing boots and added a bomber-style collar to a denim blazer.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Mar. 2026
-
We’re told to tighten our belts.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Scouts used to have to watch film of a player while at his school, and then put together their own VHS tapes for their general managers, using footage borrowed from the colleges.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Surviving the advent of television and home movie-viewing via VHS tapes, DVDs and streaming, the Grand Lake continues to operate as a place where people can come together to watch movies on a big screen — as movies were made to be watched.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What makes barrel jeans popular is their wide, tapered fit that curves out around the mid-leg and then cinches in at the ankle.—
India Roby,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The three compressions are Spanxsmooth Swim, which is light compression for barely there smoothing; Spanxshape Swim, medium compression for a little more tummy control and shaping, and Spanxsculpt Swim, strong compression that cinches and snatches.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The big story India rarely ties its foreign policy to a single partner or bloc.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The deal ties Pipkins to the Chargers for his eighth and ninth seasons in the NFL.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Another option is the Kiwanis Trail that threads its way through a shallow, cupped canyon.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
21 Feb. 2026
-
TikToks promising secret loopholes, Reddit threads dissecting deductions and content creators insisting ways to outsmart the IRS.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straps. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
