straightaway 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstrāt-ə-ˌwā How to pronounce straightaway (audio)
Definition of straightawaynext
1
as in immediate
done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time her first novel was a straightaway success

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

straightaway

2 of 2

adverb

ˌstrāt-ə-ˈwā How to pronounce straightaway (audio)
as in immediately
without delay he got to the hospital, and straightaway he was admitted and given intravenous fluids

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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
Adjective
And later, Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages hit a solo blast to straightaway center. — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026 Raschi threw, Miñoso swung and the ball took off to straightaway center, disappearing over the old bullpen fence, 415 feet away. — Marianne Mather, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Adverb
Money was tight and, in order to bank it straightaway, Jane Austen had no option but to discount it at a loss, as details on the back show. — Literary Hub, 4 Aug. 2025 Once initiated, though, Ultra fired up straightaway every time. — Michael Teo Van Runkle, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for straightaway
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straightaway
  1. immediate
  2. linear
  3. immediately
  4. instantaneous
  5. direct
  6. promptly
  7. instant
  8. straight
Adjective
  • Nunez’s statement did not spell out what that meant in practice and there was no immediate response to a request from the ministry for further comment.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Officials are hopeful that the immediate areas near the stadium will be done by the middle of August, and the final configuration will be ready.
    — Mac Engel July 31, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
Definition of immediate
Adjective
  • To survive, leadership must abandon the assumption that an audience will experience a campaign in a perfect, linear sequence.
    — Stefano Marrone, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The dark leather boots had a futuristic aura to them, with linear detailing and a wide knee-high shaft.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Definition of linear
Adverb
  • Thaw the dough just until it can be unfolded, then immediately cut.
    — Torie Cox, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The result is a historic rise in the number of people missing court dates and being immediately ordered deported as the system struggles to keep up, new data shows.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of immediately
Adjective
  • The curse is that hundreds of LEO satellites are required to reliably provide near-instantaneous location and timing services across the entire world.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026
  • The most common type is lethal in about half of patients, and death is almost instantaneous.
    — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 13 July 2026
Definition of instantaneous
Adjective
  • This was a different era, when most teams at that level would have played direct, physical football.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The last major hurricane to hit Miami-Dade County was the catastrophic Hurricane Andrew in 1992, but the city did not take a direct hit.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of direct
Adverb
  • Late one night last year, when Knier wasn’t available, another hospice nurse from By the Bay Health came promptly to the Vantreases’ home in response to an urgent call from Paula.
    — Laurie Udesky, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Attorneys in the case argued that the suspension violates the EEOC’s own regulations governing complaints filed by federal workers requiring the agency to handle complaints promptly.
    — Alexandra Olson, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Definition of promptly
Adjective
  • Plum is an instant antidote to those scoring challenges, having ranked in the top 11 in scoring each of the last five seasons, peaking at second twice.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Trump’s platform is charging Wall Street traders and investment firms as much as $100,000 for nearly-instant access to the president’s Truth Social posts and any other posts on the platform, according to multiple outlets.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of instant
Adjective
  • Perkins allowed six runs and nine hits in 5 1-3 innings as the A's have lost 11th straight series for just the third time in the last 110 seasons.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Queen has been a GHSA head coach for 27 straight seasons, first working at alma mater South Cobb from 2000 to 2005.
    — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of straight

Browse Nearby Words

straight arrows
straightaway
straightbred
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Cite this Entry

“Straightaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightaway. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on straightaway

Nglish: Translation of straightaway for Spanish Speakers

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