straight-arm
noun
: an act or instance of warding off a person or thing by pushing with the palm of the hand with the arm fully extended from the shoulder and the elbow locked
called also stiff-arm
straight-arm
verb
Examples of straight-arm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When someone offers a straight-arm handshake, creating more distance between him or her and the other person, it’s processed as distrust, aloofness, or reserve.
—
Carol Kinsey Goman, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
Musk, the world’s richest man and adviser to President Donald Trump, has been involved in recent political controversies, including giving a straight-arm salute resembling the Nazi Sieg Heil on stage at a rally after Trump’s inauguration.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2025
His straight-arm gesture sparked widespread backlash, with critics accusing Musk of mimicking a Nazi salute and some accusing him of harboring Nazi-adjacent views.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
The straight-arm salute has meant very different things in different places and during different periods of history.
—Katrin Bennhold, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
If a traditional straight-arm plank is too taxing on your wrists or shoulders, modify with a forearm plank by putting your forearms down with your elbows aligned under your shoulders.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025
Plank Tap Outs Place a mini band around your wrists and get into a straight-arm plank.
—Rozalynn S. Frazier, Health, 19 Apr. 2024
Try these five conditioning exercises to get closer to perfecting a chin-up: hollow position, stability ball roll-out, push-ups, straight-arm hang, and isometric hold.
—Jacqueline Andriakos, Health, 13 Mar. 2024
Push-Up Muscles worked: chest, core, and shoulders Start in a straight-arm plank position, your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 1 Mar. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Carol Kinsey Goman, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
Musk, the world’s richest man and adviser to President Donald Trump, has been involved in recent political controversies, including giving a straight-arm salute resembling the Nazi Sieg Heil on stage at a rally after Trump’s inauguration.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2025
His straight-arm gesture sparked widespread backlash, with critics accusing Musk of mimicking a Nazi salute and some accusing him of harboring Nazi-adjacent views.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
The straight-arm salute has meant very different things in different places and during different periods of history.
—Katrin Bennhold, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
If a traditional straight-arm plank is too taxing on your wrists or shoulders, modify with a forearm plank by putting your forearms down with your elbows aligned under your shoulders.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025
Plank Tap Outs Place a mini band around your wrists and get into a straight-arm plank.
—Rozalynn S. Frazier, Health, 19 Apr. 2024
Try these five conditioning exercises to get closer to perfecting a chin-up: hollow position, stability ball roll-out, push-ups, straight-arm hang, and isometric hold.
—Jacqueline Andriakos, Health, 13 Mar. 2024
Push-Up Muscles worked: chest, core, and shoulders Start in a straight-arm plank position, your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 1 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Straight-arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straight-arm. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share