1
as in direct
going straight to the point clearly and firmly
a straightforward account of the football game with no digressions or personal comments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in linear
free from irregularities or digressions in course
the missile continued on its straightforward path toward the enemy's command post
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in honest
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
I want you to be straightforward with me and tell me if this dress looks awful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
the distinction between the two types of offenses is pretty straightforward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also straightforwards
as in openly
in an honest and direct manner
she finally told him straightforward that she wasn't interested in a date
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of straightforward
Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Both organisms produce complex structures using relatively straightforward ingredients.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The mix’s seasoning veers straightforward and notably doesn’t list horseradish.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for straightforward
Adjective
Santat’s illustrations begin with straightforward, muted sincerity and become brighter, busier, and more gleeful—filling every corner of the page—as Sharpson’s narrator becomes ever more unhinged, ranting about fish spies, fish disguises, and fish taking over the world.
—Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Both organisms produce complex structures using relatively straightforward ingredients.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
Adverb
The market's logic seemed straightforward: more efficient AI means less demand for chips, less demand for data centers, less demand for power.
—Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The mix’s seasoning veers straightforward and notably doesn’t list horseradish.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for straightforward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightforward
Adjective
-
In a season where much of the discourse at the top of English football has been about the return of direct football, one club in the country’s fourth tier have seemingly perfected the art form.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In his return to television after almost a decade, Mangold is set to co-write, direct and executive produce a series adaptation of his movie, from Paramount Television Studios and Miramax Television.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Xavier Legette was fast in the NFL Scouting Combine in 2024 but hasn’t been able to showcase that linear speed much in his two years in the NFL.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Two double balance wheels inclined at 30 degrees dominate the lower half, with the upper half featuring a subdial for the running seconds, a four-minute indicator for the differential that supplies power to the two balances, and a linear power display.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Be honest about what’s workable, and let creativity thrive within boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
October 23 – November 21 An honest shift today strengthens what truly matters.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Don’t force a quick fix, but don’t ignore what’s obvious.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Likewise the only evidence that Trump might not be crazy is his obvious determination to seem so.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
And a president openly threatening to commit war crimes by targeting civilian infrastructure in Iran—and floating preemptive strikes against Cuba.—
John Whitehead,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
-
One source speculated that the portraits of the Bezoses may have been inspired by Condé journalists openly dreading the prospect of the billionaires owning Vogue and having Sánchez calling the shots.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Detroit won three straight games – Game 5 at home, Game 6 in Orlando and Game 7 back in Detroit – and the collapse became part of franchise lore.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
And once again, Suzuki’s top line went scoreless five-on-five for a fourth straight game.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lai, an outspoken critic of China’s ruling Communist Party who founded the now-defunct newspaper Apple Daily, was convicted in December of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiring with others to publish seditious articles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The outspoken councilmember, whose district includes Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, Silver Lake and the San Fernando Valley, filed her paperwork on February 7.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
It’s been especially apparent this year because the draft is really good.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
As the argument continued, Alexander and his 62-year-old father, in turn, urinated on his neighbor’s yard in apparent retaliation for the dog’s actions, prosecutors say.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straightforward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightforward. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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