1
as in immediate
done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time
her first novel was a straightaway success
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in linear
free from irregularities or digressions in course
the doomed ship was headed on a straightaway course in the path of the iceberg
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in immediately
without delay
he got to the hospital, and straightaway he was admitted and given intravenous fluids
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of straightaway
Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2025
Riders are then propelled uphill through an identical side-by-side racecourse of enclosed and open tubes and 180-degree high-bank turns before hitting a final straightaway drop to the finish line pool below.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
My ideal scenario starts with going into a used bookstore and finding something wonderful by pure serendipity, then taking it off somewhere to start reading it straightaway.
—New York Times, 30 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for straightaway
Adjective
As Estoril’s long Parabolica Ayrton Senna opens up to the .61-mile straightaway, rapid upshifts at redline end at fifth gear and 184 mph before I’m forced to brake hard.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2025
Riders are then propelled uphill through an identical side-by-side racecourse of enclosed and open tubes and 180-degree high-bank turns before hitting a final straightaway drop to the finish line pool below.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Adverb
Getting to work straightaway, the kids built a snowman in the yard, which looked like your typical Frosty with twigs for arms and a carrot nose.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
My ideal scenario starts with going into a used bookstore and finding something wonderful by pure serendipity, then taking it off somewhere to start reading it straightaway.
—New York Times, 30 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for straightaway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightaway
Adjective
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The highly skilled team — including neonatologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and pediatric specialists — provides immediate access to advanced treatments and technology, improving outcomes and offering families peace of mind.—
MemorialCare Medical Group,
Oc Register,
10 Jan. 2026
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The video also appeared to depict the officers did not take immediate steps to ensure that Good received emergency medical care after the shooting took place.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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One of the great things about this class is that nobody’s path has been entirely linear.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
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Traditional television, meanwhile, is forecast to decline by a cumulative $8 billion as linear advertising and pay-TV subscriptions continue to erode.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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During cross-examination, he was upbraided for long answers that did not immediately answer the question he had been asked.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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More information about the accident wasn’t immediately available.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The news cycle has gotten shorter in the 2020s, in large part thanks to social media and the instantaneous spread of information.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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But by 2026, the sheer magnitude of the debt means the impact of rate hikes is instantaneous, and thus, counterproductive.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The study offers rare, direct evidence of this process by tracking cool gas across entire galaxies, something that was not possible before large surveys like MaNGA.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
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But just like the Qatar embargo almost a decade ago, those rules seem to slacken when officials make direct accusations against fellow Gulf Cooperation Council members.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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When my mother was reunited with Aggie, my sister (a millennial, of course) filmed it and promptly posted the short clip to TikTok.—
Peter Kiefer,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
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Holevich adds that cleaning these surfaces promptly will help prevent long-term staining and lingering odors.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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View gallery - 5 images Fujifilm's been in the instant shoot-and-print camera business for more than 25 years now, and its newest offering is a fun departure from its longstanding lineup.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
8 Jan. 2026
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The show premiered to instant acclaim, winning five 2025 Emmy Awards, and has already been renewed for a third season.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The straight-leg fit here is the ideal balance for anyone who doesn’t love baggy or wide-leg styles, and the ankle-grazing length lets your favorite winter boots take center stage.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
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Bryant held a 47-38 advantage after Camarion Bead's three-point play with just over five minutes to go in the third quarter, but Jonesboro charged back with six straight points to cut the gap to three.—
Erick Taylor,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straightaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightaway. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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