as in to trim
to make neat
neatened the living room in anticipation of company
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Recent Examples of neaten
For instance, your hedges may need regular trims to clean up and neaten their appearance and keep a consistent straight side.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Several people milled around, neatening the area, touching up Cage’s makeup.
—Susan Orlean, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2025
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
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, 31 May 2024
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Several people milled around, neatening the area, touching up Cage’s makeup.
—Susan Orlean, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2025
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
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, 31 May 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neaten
Verb
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The jersey also includes a jock tag depicting a dove carrying an olive branch, while the Pride’s familiar purple trims the collar, cuffs and player lettering.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
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Cheese quesadillas are sliced into inch-long planks, crusts are trimmed off sandwiches to stave off a potential meltdown, and even grapes are halved.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Though well organized, none of the material had been digitized.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
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There’s no excuse not to keep your toiletries organized when this Eddie Bauer Voyager Kit costs just $5 at Marshall’s.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Babysitting can also be arranged through the concierge for a fee.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Glass jars full of tea leaves are arranged around the Kochi Cafe room.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Neaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neaten. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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