STRAIGHTEN UP OR OUT Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

straighten (up or out)

verb

Definition of straighten (up or out)

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

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

Moon’s priorities for another term included expanding students’ access to mental health services, improving teacher recruitment and retention, and increasing career technical education opportunities.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Serve the easy meal, use the good blanket, and let a pleasure count without improving it.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of improve

Verb

Health insurers have grappled with elevated medical costs in recent years as consumers increased their use of healthcare services, prompting companies to raise premiums, trim benefits and exit less profitable plans.

— Reuters, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2026
From Christmas cocktails and tree-trimming ideas to gift wrapping, recipes, and musical moments, each segment adds warmth, fun, and fresh inspiration.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of trim

Verb

House Democratic leadership declared victory before midnight Tuesday, putting the finishing touches on what shaped up to be a historic night for Democrats.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
Supporting actress is historically one of the Academy’s most fluid categories, and the placement gives Hüller a clearer runway than a lead field that is shaping up to be one of the most crowded in years.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of shape up

Verb

At a Thursday post-election conference organized by the Center for American Progress, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said that the people who’d beaten invincible-looking Republicans needed space to vote and govern their way.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Pre-Columbian ruins are always near, reachable by boat, trek, and car, on excursions organized by the hotel.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of organize

Verb

Despite frustration that the Legislature amended his original plan by protecting property taxes for schools, the governor still advocated for the amendment.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
The amendment asked voters whether the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to increase the funding going to all school districts from the permanent school fund.

— Jason Rantala, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of amend

Verb

The displays can be arranged in either landscape or portrait orientation, depending on your preferences.

— Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
Paddle surf excursions can be booked via the concierge, as well as leather workshops, wine or olive oil tastings, vineyard tours, and boat trips—all are arranged via local third-party companies to ensure the most authentic experience possible.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of arrange

Verb

The new material combines kerosene, lecithin, and calcium chloride to produce a gel that behaves more like a soft solid at rest but flows when subjected to force or heat, according to a study.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
Your body behaves as though something dangerous is happening.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of behave

Verb

On top of emphasizing a core value set aimed at bettering the working class, many DSA candidates tapped into voter frustrations with the larger political system.

— Elena Moore, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
Forty-three percent of US adults say the federal government is effective at bettering people’s lives, down from 51% in 2025, according to a new Bentley University-Gallup survey.

— Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of better

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

straighten (up)

straighten (up or out)

straight-faced

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“Straighten (up or out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straighten%20%28up%20or%20out%29. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of straighten (up or out)

verb

Example Sentences

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