straighten
to make or become straight in direction, form, position, character, conduct, condition, etc. (often followed by up or out).
Origin of straighten
1Other words from straighten
- straight·en·er, noun
- o·ver·straight·en, verb
- pre·straight·en, verb (used with object)
- re·straight·en, verb
- un·straight·ened, adjective
- well-straightened, adjective
Words Nearby straighten
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 PostPatients 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 ReviewSalas 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 DiegoHis 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 PostI’m definitely going to vote, so I have to get it straightened out.
Instead, straighten your civic backbone and push back in clear conscience.
Morris struggled to straighten his back, which involved stiffening a spine rarely used.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’ | Asawin Suebsaeng | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTFitzpatrick 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 | THE DAILY BEASTThe idea was to put the fear of God in Fatah so they would straighten up, but instead Hamas won—and so did Israel.
Smith did her best, at that press conference, to straighten the whole mess out.
The newsboys began to call—the young nurse woke up and began to straighten her hair.
Love's Pilgrimage | Upton SinclairBut, now, to straighten out this coil; to shake himself finally free of Chloe, and make Daphne happy again!
Marriage la mode | Mrs. Humphry WardObserving 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 PendexterHurry and shave, you know how smooth Jasper Jones' chin always looks, and then straighten up this room.
Time Enough at Last | Lyn VenableSpent 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
/ (ˈstreɪtən) /
to make or become straight
(tr) to make neat or tidy: straighten 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
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