straighten

[ streyt-n ]

/ ˈstreɪt n /

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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).

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of straighten

First recorded in 1535–45; straight + -en¹

OTHER WORDS FROM straighten

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

un·straight·ened, adjectivewell-straightened, adjective

Words nearby straighten

straight bat, straight bill of lading, straight-chain, straight chair, straightedge, straighten, straighten out, straighten up, straight face, straight fight, straight flush

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use straighten in a sentence

The third is a party whose leaders force reality onto the base, figuring out how to reclaim authority over conservative Americans and straightening out the media ecosystem that supports it.
The Republican Party tries to figure out the path forward|Philip Bump|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
Patients self-report their pain levels using a survey that asks about pain during various activities, such as fully straightening their knee.
AI could make healthcare fairer—by helping us believe what patients say|Karen Hao|January 22, 2021|MIT Technology Review
Salas said it was particularly important to get all of the facts straightened out.
Chula Vista Police Chief Says She Didn’t Know Department Shared Data With Feds|Gustavo Solis|January 20, 2021|Voice of San Diego
His initial charge was to straighten a scouting operation riddled by scandal.
Nationals sign 16-year-old Dominican shortstop Armando Cruz to $3.9 million bonus|Jesse Dougherty|January 15, 2021|Washington Post

I’m definitely going to vote, so I have to get it straightened out.
Undecided Voters Weigh In: “I Honestly Don’t Know”|Nick Fouriezos|October 14, 2020|Ozy
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
The idea was to put the fear of God in Fatah so they would straighten up, but instead Hamas won—and so did Israel.
Don’t Tread On My Hair, Hamas|Maysoon Zayid|April 4, 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
The newsboys began to call—the young nurse woke up and began to straighten her hair.
Love's Pilgrimage|Upton Sinclair
But, now, to straighten out this coil; to shake himself finally free of Chloe, and make Daphne happy again!
Marriage la mode|Mrs. Humphry Ward
Observing our left column was in advance of the right, Cornstalk was attempting to straighten his line by pulling in his left.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter
Hurry and shave, you know how smooth Jasper Jones' chin always looks, and then straighten up this room.
Time Enough at Last|Lyn Venable
Spent day in camp trying to straighten things out: the personal, the strategical and the administrative arrangements.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume 2|Ian Hamilton

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 forms of straighten

straightener, 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

straighten

Origin of straighten

OTHER WORDS FROM straighten

Words nearby straighten

Words related to straighten

How to use straighten in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for straighten

Derived forms of straighten