straighten (out)

verb

Definition of straighten (out)next
as in to smooth

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for straighten (out)
  1. smooth
  2. fray
  3. unwind
Verb
  • Livermore residents have had a rocky relationship with the sidewalks around town for years, and now city leaders are hoping a new project will smooth things over.
    — Katie Nielsen, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • Higher ed leaders are looking for more places to smooth the path—or find new ways that work better for students.
    — Jamie Merisotis, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of smooth
Verb
  • Nanfelt said some have misread any concern of unexpected decisions this year as pointing to a fraying relationship between city leadership and the business community.
    — DJ Simmons July 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026
  • If literacy is a key part of the American story, that narrative seems to be fraying at the edges.
    — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 23 July 2026
Definition of fray
Verb
  • An accessible and welcoming space for a family to unwind and enjoy together without barriers is a rare treat.
    — Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 July 2026
  • Slow down with a massage, body treatment, or holistic therapies like Reiki and sound healing before unwinding in Half-Mile Farm’s mineral saltwater pool and Jacuzzi.
    — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 20 July 2026
Definition of unwind
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.

Browse Nearby Words

straightening (up or out)
straighten (out)
straightens
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Straighten (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straighten%20%28out%29. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All