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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for straighten (up or out)
Verb
  • However, the latest reports suggest that situation is improving, albeit with lowball offers.
    Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • Trump 100 days: Former president's success created measuring stick for future leaders From Trump to Reagan: Their first 100 days Trump promised to improve the economy on Day 1.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • The Owls trimmed the lead to 25-20 and got the ball back at their 30 with 32 seconds remaining in the game.
    Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • While restructuring in the name of efficiency is one way to trim headcount, a negative work environment can also have a direct impact on talent retention.
    The Hill, The Hill, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Casual denim and staple outerwear, a leather holdall, Chelsea boots, and a baker boy cap shape up to a thoughtfully refined collaboration.
    Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • The Chiefs begins Organized Team Activities (OTAs) next week, and this shapes up as a big season for the running back coming off his most frustrating season as a pro.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • The trophy parade was organized on a nationwide bank holiday, the day after Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy following the competition’s final round of matches on Sunday.
    Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
  • The harvest was organized as a collaborative effort, with volunteers picking, sorting and packing the fruit, which was then distributed to clients of West Valley Community Services who are dealing with food insecurity.
    Vidula Aiyer, Mercury News, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • The response was not enough for Rascon-Rivas, who started an online petition to amend the policy, the outlet reported.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • The constitutional amendment, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Arkansas, would prohibit the state Legislature from amending or repealing constitutional amendments and require a statewide vote by the people before changing the state's direct democracy process.
    Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Secondly, for several years the Treasury market has been behaving strangely, for reasons that have nothing to do with tariffs or trade policy.
    George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • Yet another point in this episode hanging on these professionals behaving in ways that just didn’t track with their actual experience.
    Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • At Emery’s request, the club arranged a warm-weather camp in Dubai during the March international break, including a couple of friendlies against local teams.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Clinics often arrange hotel stays and local transfers.
    William Jones, USA Today, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Obviously being able to better more precisely diagnose conditions and to test samples at a genetic level represents advancement in science and an improvement in our understanding of our own body.
    Dylan Scott, Vox, 26 May 2025
  • Still, Simone has apparently done some work toward bettering her mental health.
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 23 May 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.

Browse Nearby Words

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 5 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!