as in to trim
to make neat
neatened the living room in anticipation of company
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Recent Examples of neaten
To neaten up the drawer, use clear or white plastic magazine or file holders nestled side by side to hold boxes and packages of frozen foods.
—
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
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
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
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neaten
Verb
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Tommy Castellanos threw a pair of touchdown passes (with two-point conversions) and drove into field goal range to trim Miami’s lead from 28-3 to 28-22.—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Built-in editing tools enable you to crop, trim, merge clips, add watermarks, and extract subtitles for complete control.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The jump in homeless youth represents a rising number of Cincinnati families who face unstable housing situations, said Rico Blackman, director of organizing at the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
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Church member Greg Mikat was shot three times, according to the GoFundMe his sister has organized, sustaining injuries to his leg and chest and remains hospitalized, after confronting the gunman.—
Georgea Kovanis,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The continual delays have led to many embarrassing moments, the most recent coming last Tuesday, when, after Barca officials told the media the Camp Nou was ready, the Barcelona city council arranged a press conference of their own in reply.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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For the Rolliefest finale, Hess and his team of organizers arranged a farewell cocktail party in the winter garden of the new private residences at the Waldorf Astoria, fresh off an almost-eight-year, multibillion dollar restoration.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Neaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neaten. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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