1
2
as in to trim
to make neat
a directive for everyone to straighten up their cubicle in preparation for a visit from some corporate VIPs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straighten (up or out)
Verb
-
Columbia recruit improves career-record total to 791 strikeouts.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026 -
Often, Bell wrote, desegregation turned out not to be the fastest or surest method to improve these children’s school experience.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Brian Kemp signs 34 bills, trimming his backlog with days left to act on this year’s legislation.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
6 May 2026
-
Ridestore subjects materials to failure testing during both development and production, evaluating bond strength in laminated membranes, water-repellency performance and trim durability before materials move into manufacturing.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
With the 84th Golden Globes shaping up for next January, the awards show is confronting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) with new eligibility rules.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
-
The June top-two primary election is shaping up to be more interesting than usual, as Californians wrestle with an open gubernatorial race and a variety of post-gerrymandering congressional races that could determine which party controls the House of Representatives.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Wilson met his particular mawmaws through a support group organized by West Virginia State University.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
The club was organized, assertive and dangerous in possession.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The State Water Resources Control Board is considering a petition by the Newsom administration to amend permits so water could be tapped where the tunnel intakes would be built.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Following public backlash, the agency allowed Moderna to amend its application, splitting its filing by age — standard approval for adults 50 to 64, and accelerated approval for those 65 and up, with a promise to run another trial for that age group after approval.—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Large-format porcelain tiles in wet areas, with a slip rating of R10 or better, look like stone but behave like safety equipment.—
Amy Kunst,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
-
But actually-old women behaving as actually old?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Others kick things up by arranging private beach bonfires in the evening, catamaran outings by day, surf lessons with Engstrom Surf, and even customized tarot card readings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
-
If the Leafs take Stenberg, and the Sharks want a defenseman and are confident that the Vancouver Canucks will select McKenna, maybe the two Pacific Division teams can arrange a trade.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Mike Strautmanis, the chief corporate affairs officer at the Obama Foundation, said the center represents the movement full of people wanting to better their community that elected Obama to the White House.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
-
One version of the nation’s history anchors itself in the efforts to navigate those tempests, to better the imperfect tools bequeathed to us by imperfect men.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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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 9 May. 2026.
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