straighten (up or out)

1
as in to improve
to change one's behavior or character for the better I hope that rehab will help her straighten up for good

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for straighten (up or out)
Verb
  • The cash offer is unchanged from MFE’s original bid, but the share swap component is significantly improved, up from an original offer of 0.4 MFE-A shares per ProSieben share.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
  • This can significantly improve efficiency and reduce errors, making the 15-minute breaks a worthwhile investment in long-term productivity.
    Nancy Pulciano, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In the case of the plastic eel, trim the tail to a slim taper.
    Anthony A. Ciuffa, Outdoor Life, 7 Aug. 2025
  • To see if your rose bush is dying or just dormant, trim a cane that looks dead and cut away some of the bark.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The general election is shaping up to be a showdown between Cooper and Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, who is running with the blessing of President Trump.
    Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 25 July 2025
  • While the 2025 edition (held between 24 - 27 September 2025) is still shaping up, a few standout vessels have already been confirmed by the organizers.
    Katia Damborsky, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • Pocan has in recent weeks crossed congressional lines into Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District to hold town hall events and last week, organized an event in Van Orden's hometown of Prairie du Chien.
    Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Small enough to easily fit beneath the airplane seat in front of you, this lightweight laptop backpack is intentionally designed with three roomy pockets to keep your belongings organized and accessible, effectively streamlining the TSA process.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • To move forward with that plan, the county would need to amend the agreement and provide gap financing for the project.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
  • So instead, the Democrat from Queens has introduced a resolution to amend the state constitution.
    The NPR Network, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • According to the study authors, research on how AI behaves in market environments can help regulators understand gaps in existing rules and statutes.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2025
  • But honestly, who behaves rationally upon seeing a recent ex with someone else?
    Morgan Sullivan, Vogue, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Interested buyers, their representatives or brokers can arrange for special tours.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
  • As a fixer, Miguel has arranged interviews with El Mayo’s inner circle.
    Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • That small accomplishment alone, which isn’t actually so small, always serves to better my headspace when too busy with other things to fully deep-clean every surface, bathroom, and cluttered cabinet.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Eight appearances in his first season were bettered by 23 in the next.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 31 July 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Straighten (up or out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straighten%20%28up%20or%20out%29. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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