as in to unbend
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
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Recent Examples of straighten
Worrying about getting heat damage when straightening curly hair is one reason why some might just leave it to the professionals.
—
Jamie Wilson, Glamour, 2 June 2025
In the clip, which accompanies her Allure cover interview, Kidman laments her decision to straighten her natural texture.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 22 May 2025
Simply spend 60 seconds straightening your sheets, smoothing your comforter or duvet, and fluffing your pillows, and marvel at how the chore instantly makes your entire bedroom look neater.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2025
Companies such as Invisalign use 3D printing to create custom-fit aligners for teeth straightening, demonstrating the ability to personalize dental care.
—ArsTechnica, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for straighten
Jamie Wilson, Glamour, 2 June 2025
In the clip, which accompanies her Allure cover interview, Kidman laments her decision to straighten her natural texture.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 22 May 2025
Simply spend 60 seconds straightening your sheets, smoothing your comforter or duvet, and fluffing your pillows, and marvel at how the chore instantly makes your entire bedroom look neater.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2025
Companies such as Invisalign use 3D printing to create custom-fit aligners for teeth straightening, demonstrating the ability to personalize dental care.
—ArsTechnica, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for straighten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straighten
Verb
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The paper watch sensors survived preliminary stress testing that involved bending and unbending for 300 cycles.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
9 Jan. 2017
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Ceaseless in his service, unbending in his dignity, and revered for his commitment to our common humanity.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
29 Dec. 2024
Verb
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One fall day in 1856, a family of Eastern gray squirrels in rural New York uncurled from a cozy nest in a chestnut tree, looked around, and joined half a billion other squirrels on a multi-state walkabout.—
Christine Peterson,
Vox,
23 Dec. 2024
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Exhale, lower the bridge down, then uncurl the trunk to bring the right hip and shoulder back to the ground.—
Jen Murphy,
WSJ,
16 June 2022
Cite this Entry
“Straighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straighten. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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