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
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, 17 Apr. 2025
This undoubtedly plays a role in why so many Black women feel pressure to straighten their hair especially before significant life events like weddings, graduations and job interviews.
—Tayler Adigun, Essence, 16 Apr. 2025
For me, perhaps most tellingly, my straightening ritual had become a form of security.
—Liz Krieger, Allure, 15 Apr. 2025
Sasaki tweaked his delivery during a bullpen session more than a week ago — aligning his back leg and shoulder to better emphasize his extreme leg kick and straighten his direction to the plate — and found a way to throw fastballs consistently over the plate.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straighten
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Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
This undoubtedly plays a role in why so many Black women feel pressure to straighten their hair especially before significant life events like weddings, graduations and job interviews.
—Tayler Adigun, Essence, 16 Apr. 2025
For me, perhaps most tellingly, my straightening ritual had become a form of security.
—Liz Krieger, Allure, 15 Apr. 2025
Sasaki tweaked his delivery during a bullpen session more than a week ago — aligning his back leg and shoulder to better emphasize his extreme leg kick and straighten his direction to the plate — and found a way to throw fastballs consistently over the plate.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 Apr. 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 30 Apr. 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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