straighten

[ streyt-n ]

/ ˈstreɪt n /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR straighten ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object)

to make or become straight in direction, form, position, character, conduct, condition, etc. (often followed by up or out).

Nearby words

Origin of straighten

First recorded in 1535–45; straight + -en¹

Related forms

straight·en·er, nouno·ver·straight·en, verbpre·straight·en, verb (used with object)re·straight·en, verb

un·straight·ened, adjectivewell-straight·ened, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for straighten

Instead, straighten your civic backbone and push back in clear conscience.
Why We Stand With Charlie Hebdo—And You Should Too|John Avlon|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Morris struggled to straighten his back, which involved stiffening a spine rarely used.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Fitzpatrick was supposed to assess the situation in Boston and make recommendations to straighten things out.
Whitey Bulger’s Defense to Reveal Widespread FBI Complicity|T.J. English|July 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Smith did her best, at that press conference, to straighten the whole mess out.
Whose Elephant Is It?|Winston Ross|December 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Fox, herself a Navy veteran, tried to straighten things out—and for that, she lost her job.
Accuracy Falls by Wayside as VA Rushes to Clear Vast Backlog|Aaron Glantz|November 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Then from the little clump of trees came the hoot of an owl that caused him to straighten up quickly and to listen intently.
The Cave of Gold|Everett McNeil
Just come and have a talk with Miz T. She'll straighten you around all right.
The Gold Girl|James B. Hendryx
It was a formality, he said, to straighten out some tangle, so I did it.
The Best Policy|Elliott Flower
Whatever snarls and tangles have gotten into your threads, time and patience will straighten and unravel.
The Price of the Prairie|Margaret Hill McCarter
"I know——" declared Isobel, feeling that, because she was a Senior, she must straighten out this tangle.
Highacres|Jane Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for straighten

straighten

/ (ˈstreɪtən) /

verb (sometimes foll by up or out)

to make or become straight

(tr) to make neat or tidystraighten your desk

Derived Formsstraightener, noun

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

straighten

1540s, from straight + -en (1). Related: Straightened; straightening.

straighten

verb (used with or without object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of straighten

Examples from the Web for straighten

straighten

verb (sometimes foll by up or out)

straighten