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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neaten
Verb
-
To see if your rose bush is dying or just dormant, trim a cane that looks dead and cut away some of the bark.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
-
In the case of the plastic eel, trim the tail to a slim taper.—
Anthony A. Ciuffa,
Outdoor Life,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Small enough to easily fit beneath the airplane seat in front of you, this lightweight laptop backpack is intentionally designed with three roomy pockets to keep your belongings organized and accessible, effectively streamlining the TSA process.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Aug. 2025
-
This effort emerged from the activism on college campuses that produced the creation of groups such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which was formed in 1960 and was known for organizing sit-ins and the Freedom Summer voter outreach project in 1964.—
Time,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Interested buyers, their representatives or brokers can arrange for special tours.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
-
As a fixer, Miguel has arranged interviews with El Mayo’s inner circle.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Neaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neaten. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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