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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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The Carolina Panthers’ defense improved in almost every major statistical category from 2024 to 2025.—
Mike Kaye
January 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026 -
Tapascott said everything improves when weight drops, from acceleration to braking and efficiency.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kondrat suggests trimming off the rotten, mushy tissue and letting the plant and soil dry out for 2 weeks or so.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Adhere to Best Practices When Cutting As with trimming the branches of trees that overhang your property, make your cuts with an eye to the health of the bush.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Now analysts warn rising opposition to the massive warehouses powering the artificial intelligence revolution is shaping up to be a major factor in the 2026 midterm elections.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Sunday is shaping up to be colder, with highs in the mid-30s and a chance of snow during the first half of the day before skies begin to clear Sunday night.—
Karl Hille,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This coalition was built through years of organizing, through mosque networks, through labor unions, through the economic leverage of the bazaar.—
Narges Bajoghli,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Want more cleaning and organizing tips?—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Within the state, hundreds of school board members have signed a letter urging leadership to amend its policies to only allow females to compete in girls sports.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is keen to reduce the amount of time lost in games and last year amended its rules to give a corner kick to the attacking team if a goalkeeper held the ball for more than eight seconds.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The work leverages machine learning and large libraries of DNA designs to make better predictions about what sequences make cells behave as scientists want.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The authors emphasize that such tools matter less as résumé keywords than as vehicles for understanding how models behave within real-world constraints.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Two years later, his son having attained A levels in English, maths and sciences, Ramírez’s father flew to Europe to arrange for his further education.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Her first such patient was unable to arrange an in-person office visit.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Woods has created a group called Theathelight, which trains young athletes to better themselves on and off the field.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Nothing betters the gift of time.—
Brie Stimson , Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 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 19 Jan. 2026.
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