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
  • Bhattacharya noted that the United States’ investment in research has vastly improved outcomes for children with cancer.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
  • However, the group also says that early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Tommy Castellanos threw a pair of touchdown passes (with two-point conversions) and drove into field goal range to trim Miami’s lead from 28-3 to 28-22.
    Manny Navarro, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Built-in editing tools enable you to crop, trim, merge clips, add watermarks, and extract subtitles for complete control.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Other members of the series shape up as a 900-lumen 4K model and a 1080p flavor that outputs 1,500 lumens.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Brodin’s availability plays a role in how the roster shapes up.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The jump in homeless youth represents a rising number of Cincinnati families who face unstable housing situations, said Rico Blackman, director of organizing at the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition.
    Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Church member Greg Mikat was shot three times, according to the GoFundMe his sister has organized, sustaining injuries to his leg and chest and remains hospitalized, after confronting the gunman.
    Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If drainage is a problem, amend soil with compost or plant on mounds or berms.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The most notable difference is amending the Sports Broadcasting Act, a move supporters believe will pave the way for more than 130 major college football schools to substantially increase their media rights revenue.
    Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The powder boasts a natural finish and photo-friendly formula that behaved beautifully under the cameras of both weddings.
    Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 30 Sep. 2025
  • After a summer where player power and conduct dominated the transfer window talking points, Guehi demonstrated exactly how a professional should behave.
    Rob Tanner, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The continual delays have led to many embarrassing moments, the most recent coming last Tuesday, when, after Barca officials told the media the Camp Nou was ready, the Barcelona city council arranged a press conference of their own in reply.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • For the Rolliefest finale, Hess and his team of organizers arranged a farewell cocktail party in the winter garden of the new private residences at the Waldorf Astoria, fresh off an almost-eight-year, multibillion dollar restoration.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Still, from the back end of the secondary, Byard, the 10th-year safety and team captain, appreciated a player investing daily to better himself.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • But throughout each phase of photography, Petsch imposed her will in order to better the product on the screen.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 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 7 Oct. 2025.

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