straighten

verb

straight·​en ˈstrā-tᵊn How to pronounce straighten (audio)
straightened; straightening ˈstrāt-niŋ How to pronounce straighten (audio)
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 How to pronounce straighten (audio)
ˈstrā-tᵊn-ər
noun

Examples of straighten in a Sentence

He straightened the bent antenna. The drooping flowers straightened in the rain.
Recent Examples on the Web Peterson’s impending arrival brings an end to Kupchak’s tenure as the Hornets’ chief decision maker behind now-minority owner Michael Jordan, who hired Kupchak to straighten things up after firing Rich Cho. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 29 Feb. 2024 The bra features a special crisscrossed, cushioned back; extra-wide, padded straps for comfort; and a band within the bust cups that lifts the breasts and can help straighten your posture. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 28 Feb. 2024 The designer, who dyes his white hair black and straightens its curls, has been preoccupied with getting older. Nick Haramis Ola Rindal Dogukan Nesanir, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Relaxers and smoothing or straightening products are primarily used by Black women, putting them at higher risk for potential health issues. Marci Robin, Allure, 29 Jan. 2024 Hopefully a couple of his handlers could straighten him out on this. Letter Writers, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2024 Then, straighten and raise one leg while simultaneously extending one arm on the opposite side of the body. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024 At times, Blige deviated from her wide range of golden blonde hairstyles (see her 38th Grammy Awards look in 1996)– which have been curled, cut, spiked and straightened– for mahogany tones. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 10 Jan. 2024 In Alabama, a Black woman was fired for not straightening her hair. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'straighten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of straighten was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near straighten

Cite this Entry

“Straighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straighten. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

straighten

verb
straight·​en ˈstrāt-ᵊn How to pronounce straighten (audio)
straightened; straightening ˈstrāt-niŋ How to pronounce straighten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become straight
usually used with up or out
straighten up a room
straightened out the problem
straightener
ˈstrāt-nər How to pronounce straighten (audio)
-ᵊn-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on straighten

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