1
as in to perch
to be in or move into a seated or standing position with your legs on either side of (something)
She straddled the horse and waited for her riding partner to mount.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to span
to be on both sides of (something)
The town straddles the river. The movie straddles the line between comedy and drama.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to shake
to agree with or seem to agree with two opposite sides of (something)
The politician straddled the issue for weeks.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of straddle
There were four ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area as of Sunday: the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades area, the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena, the Kenneth Fire that's straddling Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and the Hurst Fire in Sylmar, northwest of San Fernando.
—
Stephanie Mendez, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2025
America’s top professional bull riders compete this weekend at Madison Square Garden, straddling bucking, snorting beasts that can weigh as much as a ton while crowds of cheering fans spur them on.
—Ellen Wulfhorst, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2025
The central and western U.S. are favored to see this; in the eastern U.S., this event occurs either with the moon straddling the horizon or after the moon has set.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 31 Dec. 2024
That building, which opened in 2018, straddles high- and moderate-risk flood zones.
—Lauren Sausser and Holly K. Hacker, The Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for straddle 
Stephanie Mendez, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2025
America’s top professional bull riders compete this weekend at Madison Square Garden, straddling bucking, snorting beasts that can weigh as much as a ton while crowds of cheering fans spur them on.
—Ellen Wulfhorst, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2025
The central and western U.S. are favored to see this; in the eastern U.S., this event occurs either with the moon straddling the horizon or after the moon has set.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 31 Dec. 2024
That building, which opened in 2018, straddles high- and moderate-risk flood zones.
—Lauren Sausser and Holly K. Hacker, The Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for straddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straddle
Verb
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That will allow residents living in the towering condos perched around the store, just a short stroll off Biscayne Boulevard, to collect their devices at a time that works best for them, O’Brien said.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2025
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This may help to explain why male marsupial moles lack a scrotum and have their testes perched in their abdominal wall.—
Charles Feigin / The Conversation,
Popular Science,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Art is also at the center of the hotel, with a thriving art program spanning across the property’s vibrant lobby, and beyond.—
Emma Kershaw,
Forbes,
26 Jan. 2025
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The mounds span the 310 miles (500 kilometers) between Mawrth Vallis and Oxia Planum, but the majority of the mounds in the study are closer to Mawrth Vallis, located in the lowlands north and west of the area.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The coach reportedly failed to shake hands with the coaches of Denver Torah.—
Ryan Gaydos,
Fox News,
29 Jan. 2025
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After the jury left the courtroom, however, Madigan walked over to Collins and shook his hand, then broke into a smile and talked cheerfully with a group of supporters in the hallway.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
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One Anson County home, for instance, sits within a mile of some 50 barns.—
Gavin Off,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2025
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Kate Moss strikes a pose on her way into the Dior Homme show during Paris Fashion Week on Jan. 24. 47 of 120 Runway Romance Kieran Culkin and his wife Jazz Charton sit for the Dior Homme show during Paris Fashion Week on Jan. 24.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In that case, the sphere of the LSS never intersects the much larger box of the universe.—
Steve Nadis,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Jan. 2025
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Rogan’s stance on cannabis legalization has intersected with political discourse.—
Tribune Content Agency,
The Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Republicans from swing states and districts are ducking questions about their openness to cutting Medicaid in order to help pay for an extension of President Trump's tax cuts.—
Peter Sullivan,
Axios,
22 Jan. 2025
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Just under seven minutes after launch, the booster ducked in between the chopsticks, which closed inward to catch attachments at the booster’s upper end to secure it for a safe landing.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PCMAG,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The United States will once again bestride the world like a colossus deterring enemies and making other nations safe from the likes of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.—
Armstrong Williams,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Nov. 2024
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Humanity bestrides the planet, explores the cosmos, and continues to reshape itself because humans are the world’s most inventive, adaptable animal.—
Nicholas Eberstadt,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Oct. 2024
Verb
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The exhibition on display at BASE features work by 45 artists and 5 video makers selected by a jury comprising Condé Nast staff from across the globe and experts from the international visual community.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
29 Jan. 2025
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This show highlights the Paris Opera’s fabulous collection, from the Second Empire on, comprising some 4,000 pieces.—
Lily Templeton,
WWD,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near straddle
Cite this Entry
“Straddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straddle. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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