as in unbent
to cause to follow a line that is without bends or curls
straighten that extension cord—it should be just long enough to reach the wall outlet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of straightened
Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
Aguilera updated the hairdo for her Instagram photoshoot, wearing it fully straightened with piece-y fringe.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
The tension disappeared, and the fiber straightened again.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Alberts straightened the path to success for Nebraska.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Malinin straightened and leaned forward on the sofa.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Her mom pushed back a stray hair and straightened the small chain with a crucifix around the girl’s neck.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 31 Jan. 2026
In the link preview his face was frozen mid-sentence in front of an auditorium’s mauve curtain, his tie straight and his shoulders straightened.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
At the very least, it must have been straightened or blow-dried before each show.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Verb
Double-digit stripers have twice straightened at least two treble hook prongs on Bomber stickbaits.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
Aguilera updated the hairdo for her Instagram photoshoot, wearing it fully straightened with piece-y fringe.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
The tension disappeared, and the fiber straightened again.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Alberts straightened the path to success for Nebraska.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Malinin straightened and leaned forward on the sofa.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Her mom pushed back a stray hair and straightened the small chain with a crucifix around the girl’s neck.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 31 Jan. 2026
In the link preview his face was frozen mid-sentence in front of an auditorium’s mauve curtain, his tie straight and his shoulders straightened.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
At the very least, it must have been straightened or blow-dried before each show.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightened
straight
Adjective
-
Senior Sarah Graves and Texas women’s basketball are headed back to their second straight Final Four after a 77-41 win over Michigan in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on Monday at Dickies Arena.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Gilgeous-Alexander scored six straight points to cut the deficit to 97-96 and Jaylin Williams, who missed his first five shots, drained a corner 3-pointer to tie the game at 99.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightened. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
