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

Schafer wore her strawberry blond tresses straightened, opting for minimal makeup. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 27 Feb. 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. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 23 Feb. 2025

This straightens the blade but does not remove any material. —Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025

The metal rods could be straightened and remolded to reinforce new walls and ceilings. —Mosab Abu Toha, The New Yorker, 12 Feb. 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