straighten

verb

straight·​en ˈstrā-tᵊn 

straightened; straightening ˈstrāt-niŋ 

ˈstrā-tᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to make straight

—usually used with up or out

intransitive verb

: to become straight

—usually used with up or out

straightener

ˈstrāt-nər 

ˈstrā-tᵊn-ər

noun

Synonyms

• unbend
• uncurl
• unkink

Examples of straighten in a Sentence

He straightened the bent antenna.

The drooping flowers straightened in the rain.

Recent Examples on the Web

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. —Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2025

So with all this uncertainty, readers have the opportunity to reflect on what went wrong in 2024-25 and how the Bruins can straighten things out. —Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Ayyub, who has distinctive curly hair, straightened it and tucked it into a bun. —Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

Place your hands on the back of the chair and straighten your arms. —Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1525, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing straighten

• straighten out
• straighten up

Rhymes for straighten

• aten
• clayton
• satan
• statin
• creatine

Kids 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

straightener

ˈstrāt-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

noun