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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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At the time of Jaxon’s death, the county was nearing the end of an 18-month corrective action plan aimed at improving oversight and safety within the system.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
20 Apr. 2026 -
The new Lewis House will improve inclusivity and accessibility features supporting people of all physical abilities, genders and cultural practices.—
Elliot Mann,
Twin Cities,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As many as a dozen letters — including one from the NBA — were submitted by the attorney for Aspiration Partners co-founder Joe Sanberg ahead of his sentencing Monday in an effort to persuade the judge to trim the 17 years prosecutors have requested for each of the two counts of fraud.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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Revisions also have trimmed 69,000 jobs from December and January payrolls, a sign that the labor market remains under strain.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Teams around the league widely view next year’s class as shaping up to be substantially better than this year’s.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
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What was shaping up as a challenge to an incumbent is now an open-seat contest, likely drawing additional candidates and increasing competition, particularly in the Democratic primary.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The current show and the accompanying catalog are organized thematically rather than chronologically.—
Nicole Rudick,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
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Below is a recap of the C-suite developments at America’s highest-revenue-generating companies announced between April 18–24, 2026, organized by sector.—
Fortune Editors,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After amending the soil, add a 2 to 3 inch layer of organic mulch to the soil's surface to help slow down moisture evaporation.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
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Councilmember Sergio Lopez cast the lone dissenting vote on amending the ordinance.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There is also a sense from that source that Carvajal could have behaved in a way more befitting of a captain at times.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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This is not the first time that badly behaved tourists have been linked to damaged to the fountain.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to court documents, transport for the embryo is being arranged for early May.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
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Jones also irritated House leaders by ignoring a plan to continue using Georgia's voting machines for one more year until replacements can be arranged, creating the possibility of a dicey election-season special session.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An open dialogue Brandon Dismel attended the forum to learn how to better the northwest sideof Baltimore, where his family lives.—
Dennis Valera,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Rose hit 14 of 18 greens in regulation, a total bettered by just three players in the field on Day 1.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 2026.
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