straightened; straightening
ˈstrāt-niŋ 
ˈstrā-tᵊn-iŋ
: to make straight
—usually used with up or out
: to become straight
—usually used with up or out
Examples of straighten in a Sentence
He straightened the bent antenna.
The drooping flowers straightened in the rain.
Recent Examples on the Web
The portion of the highway near Smiths Ferry recently underwent a $62.8 million construction project to straighten curved portions, widen shoulders, and add guardrails to improve safety.
—
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 June 2024
In other words, an overwhelming majority of Black women have straightened their hair using chemicals at some point in their lives, often beginning in childhood.
—Linda Villarosa Robin Miles Krish Seenivasan Alec K. Redfearn, New York Times, 13 June 2024
The project to straighten the highway at Exit 74 and replace the exit and entrance ramps is expected to last until 2027.
—Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2024
Stephen Amell, Josh McDermitt, Lex Scott Davis, and Troy Winbush are confirmed to be straightening their ties for the Suits: LA spin-off pilot.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for straighten 
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 June 2024
In other words, an overwhelming majority of Black women have straightened their hair using chemicals at some point in their lives, often beginning in childhood.
—Linda Villarosa Robin Miles Krish Seenivasan Alec K. Redfearn, New York Times, 13 June 2024
The project to straighten the highway at Exit 74 and replace the exit and entrance ramps is expected to last until 2027.
—Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2024
Stephen Amell, Josh McDermitt, Lex Scott Davis, and Troy Winbush are confirmed to be straightening their ties for the Suits: LA spin-off pilot.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for straighten
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'straighten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near straighten
Cite this Entry
“Straighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straighten. Accessed 3 Jul. 2024.
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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