straighten Hear it!

straighten Definition

straighten (-'n)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to make or become straight

straighten Related Forms

straight′·ener noun

straighten Idioms

straighten out

  1. to make or become less confused, easier to deal with, etc.
  2. ☆ to make or become more correct or moral in behavior; reform

straighten up

to put in good order; make tidy straighten up your room before leaving

straighten Synonyms

straighten

v.

order, compose, make straight, rectify, untwist, unsnarl, unbend, uncoil, unravel, uncurl, unfold, put straight, level, make plumb, arrange, arrange on a line, align, realign, make upright, make perpendicular, make vertical.

Antonyms bend*, twist*, curl.

straighten Usage Examples

Object

  • elbow: Elbow Extension Exercise Elbow Extension Exercise With upper arm supported on wedge fully straighten elbow.
  • knee: Even if the pain is severe, always fully straighten the knee several times a day.
  • tooth: Time proven method combined with cutting edge technology to straighten teeth without wires or brackets.
  • leg: Then straighten the front leg, returning to the standing position.
  • iron: She dropped the straightening irons to the floor, which proceeded to leave burn marks on the carpet.
  • arm: Bend hands up toward the shoulders then straighten arms back down to your sides.

Modifying Another Word

  • slowly: Slowly straighten keeping the hands in contact with the floor.
  • fully: Once at your lowest point, fully straighten your legs to return to your starting position.
  • then: He walked toward the cell door, then straightened his tie.
  • again: He bowed slightly, and when he straightened up again a match was burning in his hand.
  • all: But I'll have it all straighten out when I arrive on the 21st -- hey that's less than a week!
  • never: At home, I almost never straighten up, but when I do, I clean the whole place from top to bottom.

Followed by an intransitive particle

up: There was plenty to do at home to straighten up for Sunday.

Followed by a transitive particle

up: They straighten up the roof of the dormer window too.

Particle object:

  • mess: We can't do that with PAM and glibc --- but we need to straighten out this mess eventually.
  • line: Yes, we once thought we could succeed in straightening out the political line of the entire Urbahns group.
  • situation: As President it was my duty to straighten out the financial situation.
  • matter: President Chen has said he will invite the two branches to a meeting this week to straighten out the matter.

Used with why or when

when: Bend arms slightly when turning in this position and straighten again when stepping on the spot or moving straight.

Preposition: of

knee: They are at the front of the thigh and control straightening of the knee.