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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of straightaway
Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2025
Rice then smoked a two-run homer to straightaway center in the third.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 2 June 2025
Dan Greene, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Nov. 2018
But that’s not what’s happening when uninformed and inexperienced e-scooter riders injure themselves straightaway.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2019
See All Example Sentences for straightaway
Adjective
On Sunday, a 7-3 Yankees win, Rice struck the biggest blow of the game, a two-run homer to straightaway center off Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
—Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2025
Rice then smoked a two-run homer to straightaway center in the third.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 2 June 2025
Adverb
The ornithologists realized straightaway that many birds in the training data set had been misclassified because of the crowdsourced workers’ limited ornithological knowledge.
—Dan Greene, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Nov. 2018
But that’s not what’s happening when uninformed and inexperienced e-scooter riders injure themselves straightaway.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2019
See All Example Sentences for straightaway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightaway
Adjective
-
Neither the oils nor systemic insecticides give immediate control of adult whiteflies.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
-
In April 2021, Rodriguez-Kennedy said his immediate supervisor told him to take advantage of his position as chair of the county Democratic Party to ensure a favorable outcome for a pending motion.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
As well as the docking points for the modules, the two keyboards also feature hot-swappable sockets that enable users to instantly switch between linear, clicky or tactile Kailh Mini-Choc switches.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
Climate change doesn’t chart a linear path where each day is warmer than the last.—
Abrahm Lustgarten,
ProPublica,
9 July 2025
Adverb
-
The Colma Police Department didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
8 July 2025
-
Ballots dropped in a smart box can be tracked immediately, Michalowski said.—
Sophie Levenson,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Collapsible legs fold out, creating an instantaneous cooking platform (no need to find a picnic table or flat-ish rock), and burners blast 30,000 BTUs each for searing and sizzling.—
Drew Zieff,
Outside Online,
8 July 2025
-
This reporter live-streamed it, so the fan response was instantaneous.—
Ramon Ramirez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Avoid sun exposure: Avoid direct sun exposure, protect yourself and check on vulnerable relatives and neighbors.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
11 July 2025
-
Automated processes for service eligibility, resource allocation and outcome tracking direct aid to those who need it most, quickly and efficiently.—
Daniel Brillman,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adverb
-
If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
11 July 2025
-
Fans wondered on social media what happened and promptly found the answer.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
This is not about instant gratification and fulfillment; after all, this is earth energy.—
Danijela Pilic,
Glamour,
10 July 2025
-
The instant repeal of a vestige of the War on Terror that accomplished nothing in the first place, yet remained enforced for decades.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Schoolcraft is the ninth straight high-schooler selected by the Padres with their first pick in a draft.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
Lionel Messi scored two goals Saturday night for the fifth straight league game set set an MLS record in a 2-1 home win over Nashville.—
Greg Cote
July 13,
Miami Herald,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straightaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightaway. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share