Straightening: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when something is being made straight or put back into its original, orderly form. Can refer to both physical objects and abstract concepts like plans or rules.

• She spent hours straightening her messy desk.
• He's straightening out the financial issues in the company.

Used when making a surface even and without bumps or roughness. Can also have a figurative meaning when calming a situation.

• She is smoothing the icing on the cake.
• He is known for smoothing over disagreements in the team.

Specifically refers to the act of using an iron to remove wrinkles from fabric or clothing. Typically used in a domestic context.

• He is ironing his shirt for the meeting.
• I spent the morning ironing the curtains.

Used when something is being made flat, usually by removing bumps, wrinkles, or anything that creates unevenness.

• She is flattening the dough with a rolling pin.
• The construction workers are flattening the ground before building the house.

Identical to the first entry, thus it is redundant. Refer to the first entry for context and examples.

This word is used when discussing the arrangement or positioning of items in a line or correct relationship. It can be used in both physical and abstract contexts, such as organization, attitudes, or team objectives.

• The alignment of the wheels needs to be checked
• The company's values are in alignment with mine

This is a more formal term used when correcting or setting something right, especially in legal, technical, or bureaucratic contexts.

• The company is working on the rectification of the recent issues
• The process required the rectification of several legal documents

Use this term when referring to fixing something wrong, often applied in the context of mistakes, errors, or defects. It can be used in educational, professional, or technical settings.

• She made a correction on her math homework
• The editor requested a correction of the manuscript

Used when making something straight that was previously bent, crooked, or twisted. It often refers to physical objects like hair or metal.

• She spent hours straightening her hair
• The blacksmith was straightening the bent iron rod

Formal term used to correct mistakes, errors, or faults, often in a legal, technical, or professional context.

• They are rectifying the financial discrepancies in their report
• The technician is rectifying the network issues

General term for repairing or solving problems, applicable to a wide range of situations including objects, systems, and situations.

• He's fixing the broken car engine
• They are fixing the software bug

Addresses fixing errors or correcting faults. It can apply to both physical and abstract things such as behaviors, mistakes, or text.

• The teacher is correcting the student's homework
• He apologized and started correcting his behavior