as in fence-sitting
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1
as in perching
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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2
as in spanning
to be on both sides of (something)
The town straddles the river. The movie straddles the line between comedy and drama.
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3
as in shaking
to agree with or seem to agree with two opposite sides of (something)
The politician straddled the issue for weeks.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of straddling
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Van Rijn, Brand later discovered, was straddling two sides.
—Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026
Mary Bronstein’s movie defies genres, straddling domestic drama, thriller and comedy.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Goodland, is south of Mansfield, straddling Johnson and Ellis counties.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026
And straddling it were the Mexicans and the gringos, like two children, eyes shut, their backs to each other, while the Apaches scuttled back and forth between their legs, not sure where to go with strangers bubbling up everywhere, filling their lands.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
The whole season was about Maddie straddling two worlds.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
The legislation comes as transgender Kansas Citians are straddling two states that have sought to restrict their rights.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
But Jackson stood his ground, straddling a line between his role as a rising Democratic Party figure, and as the independent interlocutor who found success in his ability to operate outside strict government lines.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
Such is the fine line Erik Spoelstra’s team is straddling between playoffs and lottery.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Van Rijn, Brand later discovered, was straddling two sides.
—Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026
Mary Bronstein’s movie defies genres, straddling domestic drama, thriller and comedy.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Goodland, is south of Mansfield, straddling Johnson and Ellis counties.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026
And straddling it were the Mexicans and the gringos, like two children, eyes shut, their backs to each other, while the Apaches scuttled back and forth between their legs, not sure where to go with strangers bubbling up everywhere, filling their lands.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
The whole season was about Maddie straddling two worlds.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
The legislation comes as transgender Kansas Citians are straddling two states that have sought to restrict their rights.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
But Jackson stood his ground, straddling a line between his role as a rising Democratic Party figure, and as the independent interlocutor who found success in his ability to operate outside strict government lines.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straddling
Noun
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Lower mortgage rates will spur some fence-sitting buyers into action and increase sales volumes over last year.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
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There’s merit in seeing both sides of an argument, but there’s no honor in fence-sitting forever, which is Alex’s fatal flaw.—
Anusha Praturu,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Birds need a complete habitat that includes food, shelter, nesting areas and perching spots.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
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The department recommends staggering bloom times to make sure hummingbirds have a food source for the entire season, as well as providing a source of water and trees or tall shrubs for nesting and perching.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Gonzales is certainly a name to watch in Charlotte’s quarterback battle, throwing for 6,682 yards, 51 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions spanning three years at Western Carolina.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup is a 120-mile relay race for law enforcement teams primarily from California, but sometimes spanning across the world.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Structure information summary Most structures in this region are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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The fine powder is very messy to work with, however, so simply shaking it onto your chain wouldn't be practical.—
Ben Coxworth
March 27,
New Atlas,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Upon learning that dogs were allowed to roam on the lawn, the reason for its decimation became clear, since this grass, although touted for its shade and drought tolerance, is highly sensitive to dog urine and dog digging.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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Studies show that people who have a higher tolerance for ambiguity are also more resilient, make better decisions under pressure and excel at solving problems in volatile environments.—
Jessica Weiss,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Boston was sitting next to Flavor Flav, who is a huge supporter of women’s sports.—
Doug Feinberg,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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Typically, Hansen said, the sitting president would be OK with members of Congress in their own party distancing themselves from the White House.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Another contributing factor to long lines is that the partial shutdown is intersecting with spring break.—
Jordan Green,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
20 Mar. 2026
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But faculty say the fields are broad, intersecting with health, disability studies, literature, education, information studies and public policy.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Investors ducking for cover in the rocky market are turning to low volatility funds.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
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As the sun falls, Johnny Leach steps out of his Brooklyn apartment and onto the wet street before ducking into the subway station.—
Jenna Thompson
March 27,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straddling. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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