straighten

[ streyt-n ]

verb (used with or without object)

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

straighten

/ ˈstreɪtən /

verb

1. to make or become straight
2. tr to make neat or tidy

   straighten your desk

Derived Forms

• ˈstraightener, noun

Other Words From

• 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-straightened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of straighten¹

First recorded in 1535–45; straight + -en ¹

Example Sentences

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.

From Washington Post

Patients self-report their pain levels using a survey that asks about pain during various activities, such as fully straightening their knee.

From MIT Technology Review

Salas said it was particularly important to get all of the facts straightened out.

From Voice of San Diego

His initial charge was to straighten a scouting operation riddled by scandal.

From Washington Post

I’m definitely going to vote, so I have to get it straightened out.

From Ozy

Instead, straighten your civic backbone and push back in clear conscience.

From The Daily Beast

Morris struggled to straighten his back, which involved stiffening a spine rarely used.

From The Daily Beast

Fitzpatrick was supposed to assess the situation in Boston and make recommendations to straighten things out.

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

Smith did her best, at that press conference, to straighten the whole mess out.

From The Daily Beast

The newsboys began to call—the young nurse woke up and began to straighten her hair.

From Project Gutenberg

But, now, to straighten out this coil; to shake himself finally free of Chloe, and make Daphne happy again!

From Project Gutenberg

Observing our left column was in advance of the right, Cornstalk was attempting to straighten his line by pulling in his left.

From Project Gutenberg

Hurry and shave, you know how smooth Jasper Jones' chin always looks, and then straighten up this room.

From Project Gutenberg

Spent day in camp trying to straighten things out: the personal, the strategical and the administrative arrangements.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• rectify
• uncoil