straighten
[streyt-n]
- to make or become straight in direction, form, position, character, conduct, condition, etc. (often followed by up or out).
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Origin of straighten
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
rectify, uncoil, even, compose, level, align, tidy, correct, unravel, unfold, neaten, order, arrange, uncurl, unbend, untwist, unsnarlExamples from the Web for straighten
Contemporary Examples
Instead, straighten your civic backbone and push back in clear conscience.
Morris struggled to straighten his back, which involved stiffening a spine rarely used.
Fitzpatrick was supposed to assess the situation in Boston and make recommendations to straighten things out.
Smith did her best, at that press conference, to straighten the whole mess out.
Fox, herself a Navy veteran, tried to straighten things out—and for that, she lost her job.
Historical Examples
You've got to get some sleep: that's the only way for you to straighten up.
The Fortune HunterLouis Joseph Vance
It bent him low, and it was only with a great effort that he was able to straighten again.
The Bluff of the HawkAnthony Gilmore
Before I could straighten him out a second and more awful idea hit him.
Arm of the LawHarry Harrison
I had to climb into the cockpit and straighten out the mess.
The Depot MasterJoseph C. Lincoln
I'll have to run over there myself in a day or two and straighten it out.
The Rise of Roscoe PaineJoseph C. Lincoln
straighten
- to make or become straight
- (tr) to make neat or tidystraighten your desk
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for straighten
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper