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 orout ).

straighten

/ ˈstreɪtən /

verb

1. to make or become straight

2. (tr) to make neat or tidy

   straighten your desk

Other Word Forms

• straightener noun
• overstraighten verb
• prestraighten verb (used with object)
• restraighten verb
• unstraightened adjective
• well-straightened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of straighten¹

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

Example Sentences

A year or so after she learned of Gil’s 2008 death, Palmer felt safe enough to head to a Social Security office and “straighten everything out.”

From Los Angeles Times

When the pole starts to straighten, Duplantis is fully upside down and rotates his body to face away from the runway while still applying pressure to the pole.

From BBC

"I think we're going to get it all straightened out," he said.

From BBC

“You want to straighten out the budget?” he asked.

From Salon

Following last year’s assassination attempt in Butler, Pa., he has come to believe he was “saved by God” for a divine purpose: “I’d like to think God thinks I’m going to straighten out our country.”

From Salon

Related Words

• rectify 
• uncoil