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
Oc Register, 27 Oct. 2025
Mountcastle made it 4-1 two batters later, sending a 1-0 sinker out to straightaway center field.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Over breakfast on the day after the announcement was made, Venetia’s grandfather was reading the account of the new planet aloud from the paper and the young girl straightaway recommended the name Pluto, the ruler of the underworld.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straightaway
Adjective
Freeman connected off left-hander Brendon Little, sending a 406-foot drive to straightaway center field to finally end a game that lasted 6 hours, 39 minutes, and matched the longest by innings in postseason history.
—Oc Register, 27 Oct. 2025
Mountcastle made it 4-1 two batters later, sending a 1-0 sinker out to straightaway center field.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Adverb
Having a low-lift digital service or offer is a great way to reduce your expenses, start straightaway, gain traction quickly, and test the waters before committing to developing a product.
—Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Over breakfast on the day after the announcement was made, Venetia’s grandfather was reading the account of the new planet aloud from the paper and the young girl straightaway recommended the name Pluto, the ruler of the underworld.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straightaway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightaway
Adjective
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Such speed-sensitive metamaterials have immediate applications in soft robotics.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Either way, their words likely have value beyond the immediate moment, so listen closely!—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The district has 56 poles and 7,500 linear feet of overhead conversion to 11,165 linear feet of underground trench spanning 227 properties, according to a council agenda report.—
Luke Harold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
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Because skipping songs on a player was a hassle, most people sat with cassette albums as a track-by-track, linear journey, the antithesis to the algorithmic, shuffle-centric playlists ubiquitous on today’s streaming platforms.—
Oliver Wang,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Meyer, an at-times combative career litigator, was brought in from the NHL Players Association in 2018 to add muscle to a bargaining team that was viewed as having surrendered ground in the negotiations for the 2017-2021 CBA, which was almost immediately panned as a loss for the players.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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McKinnor didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Criminals would seek payments in Bitcoin in part because the transactions are instantaneous.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
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And in an era of viral video and instantaneous judgement, the court of public opinion often convenes long before all the evidence is in.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s had a direct impact on patient numbers, Muthyala said.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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The layoff notices, approved by a 4-3 vote, target central and regional office staff, who were described as providing direct and important services to schools.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Realizing Shaw was off the base, Chapman promptly tagged him to complete a rare 4-3-6-5 triple play.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Dry on low heat and remove promptly to keep sheets soft and prevent shrinking.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Long before cell phones, the internet, or instant communications, the storm struck almost without warning and at a disastrous time of day, especially in the Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, metro areas.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
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Add chickpeas or white beans to salads for instant substance.—
Bridget Shirvell,
Martha Stewart,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Wu said the city’s public school system will be closed for a second straight day on Tuesday, and libraries and community centers won’t open until noon.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
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Because life isn't a straight path.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straightaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightaway. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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