straight-arm
noun
: an act or instance of warding off a person or thing by pushing with the palm of the hand with the arm fully extended from the shoulder and the elbow locked
called also stiff-arm
straight-arm
verb
Examples of straight-arm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The stickers depict an image of Tesla CEO Elon Musk making a straight-arm gesture during his Jan. 21 speech at President Donald Trump’s inauguration rally.
—
Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Earlier in the month, Musk — a supporter of Germany’s far-right movement — made his infamous straight-arm salute at a Trump inauguration event.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2025
When someone offers a straight-arm handshake, creating more distance between him or her and the other person, it’s processed as distrust, aloofness, or reserve.
—Carol Kinsey Goman, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
Musk, the world’s richest man and adviser to President Donald Trump, has been involved in recent political controversies, including giving a straight-arm salute resembling the Nazi Sieg Heil on stage at a rally after Trump’s inauguration.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2025
His straight-arm gesture sparked widespread backlash, with critics accusing Musk of mimicking a Nazi salute and some accusing him of harboring Nazi-adjacent views.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
The straight-arm salute has meant very different things in different places and during different periods of history.
—Katrin Bennhold, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
If a traditional straight-arm plank is too taxing on your wrists or shoulders, modify with a forearm plank by putting your forearms down with your elbows aligned under your shoulders.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025
Plank Tap Outs Place a mini band around your wrists and get into a straight-arm plank.
—Rozalynn S. Frazier, Health, 19 Apr. 2024
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.
Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Earlier in the month, Musk — a supporter of Germany’s far-right movement — made his infamous straight-arm salute at a Trump inauguration event.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2025
When someone offers a straight-arm handshake, creating more distance between him or her and the other person, it’s processed as distrust, aloofness, or reserve.
—Carol Kinsey Goman, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
Musk, the world’s richest man and adviser to President Donald Trump, has been involved in recent political controversies, including giving a straight-arm salute resembling the Nazi Sieg Heil on stage at a rally after Trump’s inauguration.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2025
His straight-arm gesture sparked widespread backlash, with critics accusing Musk of mimicking a Nazi salute and some accusing him of harboring Nazi-adjacent views.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
The straight-arm salute has meant very different things in different places and during different periods of history.
—Katrin Bennhold, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
If a traditional straight-arm plank is too taxing on your wrists or shoulders, modify with a forearm plank by putting your forearms down with your elbows aligned under your shoulders.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025
Plank Tap Outs Place a mini band around your wrists and get into a straight-arm plank.
—Rozalynn S. Frazier, Health, 19 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Straight-arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straight-arm. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share