1
as in to perch
to be in or move into a seated or standing position with your legs on either side of (something)
She straddled the horse and waited for her riding partner to mount.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to span
to be on both sides of (something)
The town straddles the river. The movie straddles the line between comedy and drama.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to shake
to agree with or seem to agree with two opposite sides of (something)
The politician straddled the issue for weeks.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of straddle
The clip featured the 32-time Grammy winner straddling a white stallion, swinging a large American flag in slow motion as a Western trumpet theme played over the sound of a stampede.
—
Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2025
Lane studied fine art at Goldsmiths College and her work straddles many media including printmaking, sculpture, installation and embroidery.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Over a long weekend late last fall, a few things became clear: there’s a palpable hunger to make theater against the odds, the locals who can keep it viable are ready for it and the artists enjoy the freedom of straddling aesthetic and artistic worlds.
—Mikayla Whitmore, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Foster pursued a straddling, bridgelike structure as a way to avoid a central service core.
—Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for straddle 
Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2025
Lane studied fine art at Goldsmiths College and her work straddles many media including printmaking, sculpture, installation and embroidery.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Over a long weekend late last fall, a few things became clear: there’s a palpable hunger to make theater against the odds, the locals who can keep it viable are ready for it and the artists enjoy the freedom of straddling aesthetic and artistic worlds.
—Mikayla Whitmore, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Foster pursued a straddling, bridgelike structure as a way to avoid a central service core.
—Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for straddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straddle
Verb
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Visiting the Vatican City masterpiece is not the same, Watts argues, as witnessing the artist perched on scaffolding in the act of creation.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Feb. 2025
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All 12 are on small lots perched above Mulholland Drive, with sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills.—
Angela Serratore,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Kanye’s relationship with the company spanned almost a decade and included multiple collaborations with Kanye’s billion-dollar clothing line, Yeezy.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
7 Feb. 2025
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Professionally, Ken’s career spanned various prestigious roles, from architectural firms to construction management companies, leaving an indelible mark on numerous projects across the United States.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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My desire is stronger for us, even in just this country, to heal, and to talk, and to shake each other’s hands.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2025
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Add ice, seal tins and shake hard for 10 to 12 seconds.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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McDowell was the first to post a photo of Tove by sharing an Instagram shot of himself sitting on a brown sofa.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
7 Feb. 2025
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The actress sat front row at one of the most coveted tickets of NYFW, donning a dramatic white dress – a v-neck, A-line frock with buttons down the center and ruffled detailing at the waistline, topped with a pastel teal feather and fur coat with taupe swirls draped around her shoulders.—
Anika Reed,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The truth of a family is in how the complexities of everybody can intersect at these friction points.—
David L. Coddon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2025
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Notwithstanding its many airspace restrictions, Washington, D.C., and its environs have plenty of sky that does not intersect with the approach to DCA.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As a throng of taxis shuttled people through Mayfair ahead of the BAFTAs and London Fashion Week, another stylish and starry crowd was ducking into the Curzon cinema for Miu Miu’s 29th edition of Women’s Tales.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2025
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Eschewing the big pre-game parties, the couple ducked into small restaurant uptown for a private dinner date, according to video obtained Fox 8 New Orleans.—
Lawrence Yee,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The United States will once again bestride the world like a colossus deterring enemies and making other nations safe from the likes of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.—
Armstrong Williams,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Nov. 2024
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Humanity bestrides the planet, explores the cosmos, and continues to reshape itself because humans are the world’s most inventive, adaptable animal.—
Nicholas Eberstadt,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Oct. 2024
Verb
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There’s now nearly an 8,000 point gap between the four women who comprise the sport’s two top teams and the rest of the tour.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes,
10 Feb. 2025
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Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).—
Keith Caulfield,
Billboard,
9 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near straddle
Cite this Entry
“Straddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straddle. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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