neatened; neatening
ˈnēt-niŋ 
ˈnē-tᵊn-iŋ
1
: to set in order : make neat
2
: to finish (something, such as a piece of sewing) carefully
Examples of neaten in a Sentence
I am trying to neaten my desk.
neatened the living room in anticipation of company
Recent Examples on the Web
Hydrangeas that only bloom on the current year's fresh, green growth (also referred to as new wood) should be neatened up or cut back in early spring, well before the arrival of summer.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
Fringes usually require neatening up every two to three weeks, and helpfully, many hairdressers offer free fringe trims in between salon visits.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 31 May 2024
To neaten the group, coil them up and twist a bread tie around them.
—Barbara Bellesi Zito, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2024
Use a curl-specific hair gel to neaten and smooth each side, applying a small amount down each section to be twisted.
—Dory Zayas, Parents, 26 July 2024
Fringes usually require neatening up every two to three weeks, and helpfully, many hairdressers offer free fringe trims in between salon visits.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 3 June 2024
But trimmers do more than neaten up.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 20 Mar. 2023
Cut ends to neaten up.
—Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2022
Few things neaten a naturalistic garden like fresh edging around beds.
—Monica Cardoza, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2023
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Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
Fringes usually require neatening up every two to three weeks, and helpfully, many hairdressers offer free fringe trims in between salon visits.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 31 May 2024
To neaten the group, coil them up and twist a bread tie around them.
—Barbara Bellesi Zito, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2024
Use a curl-specific hair gel to neaten and smooth each side, applying a small amount down each section to be twisted.
—Dory Zayas, Parents, 26 July 2024
Fringes usually require neatening up every two to three weeks, and helpfully, many hairdressers offer free fringe trims in between salon visits.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 3 June 2024
But trimmers do more than neaten up.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 20 Mar. 2023
Cut ends to neaten up.
—Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2022
Few things neaten a naturalistic garden like fresh edging around beds.
—Monica Cardoza, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Neaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neaten. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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