Enderezar vs. alisar
While both verbs loosely translate to "to straighten" in English, they address different physical properties. Enderezar refers to correcting the alignment, structure, or direction of something bent or tilted. Alisar refers to smoothing out a surface to remove texture, wrinkles, or curls.
Enderezar
B2This word comes from "derecho" (straight or right). It is used when you need to unbend a rigid object, correct something that is leaning/tilted, stand upright, or fix a situation that has gone wrong. It focuses on taking something crooked and making it linear or vertical.
Tuve que usar un martillo para enderezar el clavo doblado.
(I had to use a hammer to straighten the bent nail.)
Por favor, ayuda a enderezar el cuadro que está torcido en la pared.
(Please help straighten the picture that is crooked on the wall.)
El conductor giró el volante para enderezar el coche.
(The driver turned the steering wheel to straighten the car.)
Siéntate bien y trata de enderezar la espalda.
(Sit properly and try to straighten your back.)
Con mucho esfuerzo lograron enderezar el rumbo de la empresa.
(With much effort, they managed to straighten out the company's direction.)
Alisar
C1This word comes from "liso" (smooth). It is used when you make a surface flat or soft by removing inequalities, wrinkles, lumps, or curls. It is the specific term used for hair straightening and smoothing fabrics or materials.
Ella fue al salón de belleza para alisar su cabello rizado.
(She went to the beauty salon to straighten her curly hair.)
Antes de pintar la pared debes alisar la superficie con una lija.
(Before painting the wall, you must smooth the surface with sandpaper.)
Voy a alisar las sábanas para que la cama se vea mejor.
(I am going to smooth out the sheets so the bed looks better.)
El hombre usó sus manos para alisar su corbata arrugada.
(The man used his hands to smooth out his wrinkled tie.)
Necesitamos alisar la tierra antes de plantar el césped.
(We need to level the soil before planting the grass.)
Summary
Think of the root words: use enderezar for things that should be "derecho" (upright, straight like an arrow, or aligned). Use alisar for things that should be "liso" (smooth to the touch, without texture, or flat).