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
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Researchers have developed a new system that could help improve safety of driverless cars.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026 -
Besides the pledge to increase defense spending, the defense chiefs said their countries are taking concrete steps to improve readiness and deterrence, with Britian building six new munitions factories and Germany repositioning troops near its eastern border.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The micro-style, trimmed with frills along the back, quickly found its way onto creator Devon Lee Carlson and rap artist Sexy Redd at Coachella, before subsequently selling out on the brand’s site.—
Amy Francombe,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
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Where Frederick Wiseman’s attention is analytical and the Maysles brothers’ attention is dramatic, Depardon’s is a tree trunk—blunt, rough, heavy, a raw thing to hew that keeps its rings of history even after shaping and trimming.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The fight over the Colorado River could shape up in similar fashion, pitting state against state.—
Rebecca Boyle,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2026
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The 2026 Bourbon and Beyond Music Festival officially dropped its lineup and its a spectacular lineup for the four‑day festival at the Kentucky Exposition Center, which is shaping up to be one unforgettable weekend.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The lone guide to survive from the company that organized the trip used the iPhone SOS feature to text with the Nevada County Sheriff's Office, which deployed skilled rescue crews to their location.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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Concerned by deadly encounters between protesters and federal officers in Minnesota, the church coalition has also organized training sessions on safety and nonviolence, including de-escalation tactics.—
Caitlin Hu,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Expanding current tax incentive programs While Karr’s bill bans tax exemptions, a third bill introduced and extensively amended by Crabtree expands the Reinvestment Payment Program to require separate regulations and tax incentive approaches for larger companies, such as a data center company.—
Makenzie Huber,
States Newsroom,
19 Feb. 2026
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As part of her plea agreement, prosecutors amended the charges to two counts of distribution of drugs causing a death.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Internet ran amok in his comic Worldtr33, toxic friendships became entangled in his Nice House On… books, the moneyed elite behaved badly in Exquisite Corpses.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
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Her boss behaves erratically and cruelly, the house has strange rules and Millie is forced to sleep in a small, locked attic room.—
Ashlee Conour,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The under-$30 wreath features silk daisies, eucalyptus leaves, jasmine, lavender, wildflowers, and delicate berry clusters arranged on a sturdy 24-inch frame for a pop of color that feels cheerful, not overdone.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2026
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While there isn’t an on-site salon, the team at Asaya can arrange in-room hair styling, nail, or makeup services upon request.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Both sides are trying to get something done to better themselves.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
17 Feb. 2026
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Their total of eight away victories in the Premier League was only bettered by Arsenal, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 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 22 Feb. 2026.
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