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

Computer simulations indicate that one of the geometries studied by the team could improve NMR sensitivity and accuracy by roughly an order of magnitude.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
The agreement bucks the utility’s typical process of building, operating and sometimes improving power plants and other infrastructure, such as transmission lines, and then collecting that money from customers in their monthly electricity bills.

— Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of improve

Verb

Among the various materials that Bentley can use to trim the interior are a new merino wool fabric and a wood finish that’s made from up to 1,000 walnut offcuts glued together, then sliced up to use as a veneer.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026
On Tuesday, the Dodgers trimmed their magic number to clinch a first-round bye to one.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of trim

Verb

The Proposition 40 billionaire wealth tax is shaping up to be the most expensive and contentious ballot fight this year.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Milano—which kicks off on September 22, the first day of the city's fashion week—is shaping up to be the brand’s most dazzling yet.

— Glamour, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of shape up

Verb

Much of the material that makes that private side visible survived thanks to his wife, actor Asunción Balaguer, who spent decades preserving and organizing his archive.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
In an effort to spread the word for the need for this bill, Rappaport has organized Connecticut joining the inaugural walk and peaceful rally for Long Term Care Reform.

— Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of organize

Verb

Boy employees or those linked to Combs have been stalled, amended, or quietly abandoned.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
If their tax refund was inflated by claiming tax credits that don't apply to them, the taxpayer had to verify their ID first and then amend a return before any federal income tax refund could be issued.

— Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of amend

Verb

Guests who need accessible room setups or transportation are encouraged to arrange these in advance of their visit.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
The White House also arranged for an elaborate military review that the leaders and their spouses observed before the Oval Office talks.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of arrange

Verb

Either properly discouraged by the police presence or too damned hot to fight, people largely behaved.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
In office, however, Fetterman entered treatment for depression and later began behaving so erratically that Jentleson resigned as his chief of staff and alerted the senator’s doctor.

— Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of behave

Verb

Yet again, nobody on the field bettered the Bosnian’s 13 defensive contributions, the majority of which came down to his nine clearances.

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Parton dedicated her life and career to bettering the world in so many ways, from her Dollywood theme park to her Imagination Library, which has promoted childhood literacy through delivering millions of books to children.

— Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 25 Aug. 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 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of straighten (up or out)

verb

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