straightened; straightening
ˈstrāt-niŋ 
ˈstrā-tᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make straight
—usually used with out
straightened out his legs
2
: to make neat or tidy
—usually used with up or out
straightened up the room
straightened out the papers
: to become straight
—usually used with up or out
stopped slouching and straightened up
The river curves and then straightens out.
Examples of straighten in a Sentence
He straightened the bent antenna.
The drooping flowers straightened in the rain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Press the kettlebell overhead by straightening your left arm completely.
—
Danielle Zickl, Health, 16 Dec. 2025
In the link preview his face was frozen mid-sentence in front of an auditorium’s mauve curtain, his tie straight and his shoulders straightened.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
At the very least, it must have been straightened or blow-dried before each show.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straighten
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Danielle Zickl, Health, 16 Dec. 2025
In the link preview his face was frozen mid-sentence in front of an auditorium’s mauve curtain, his tie straight and his shoulders straightened.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
At the very least, it must have been straightened or blow-dried before each show.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straighten
Cite this Entry
“Straighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straighten. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
straighten
verb
straight·en
ˈstrāt-ᵊn
straightened; straightening
ˈstrāt-niŋ
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become straight
—usually used with up or out
straighten up a room
straightened out the problem
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