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

The performance of hydrocarbons must be considered as part of a wider system that is simultaneously scaling clean electricity input and improving efficiency across the value chain.

— H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
In comparison, 58% say state and local governments improve their lives, while 56% say the same of businesses and 77% of charitable and advocacy groups.

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

Definition of improve

Verb

The outlet says that OpenAI wants to capitalize on revenue growth from its GPT-6 Astra model and higher usage that’s come from its decision to trim prices on its cheaper models.

— John Kell, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
When Cleveland trimmed the lead to 3-1 in the sixth inning, Tampa answered with a two-run homer by Junior Caminero in the seventh.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of trim

Verb

Anthropic, which was valued at close to $1 trillion earlier this year, is preparing for an initial public offering as soon as next month that is shaping up as one of the biggest ever.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
This week is shaping up to give us a break from the summerlike sweat.

— Miami Herald Staff Report, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of shape up

Verb

Ebola is changing how African governments organize their response, Kaseya said, with Nigeria’s case prompting stronger solidarity across the continent.

— Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
The concierge can also organize hydroplane trips across Lake Como, a private dinner behind closed doors beneath Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, and a day of personal shopping in Italy’s fashion capital.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of organize

Verb

The original proposal included employers of all sizes, but the Board of Health amended the policy to exempt small businesses.

— Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
In 1990, Congress considered amending the CAA so that the EPA could substitute itself and take control of citizen suits over alleged violations.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of amend

Verb

The hotel can also arrange more typical Lanai tourist activities—scuba diving, sailing, horseback riding, or a day at the beach at the sister Four Seasons resort.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Lawyers in Russia eventually located him and arranged for legal visits, money for food and basic necessities, and the brief phone call with his son.

— Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrange

Verb

In 1999 a group led by Austrian physicist Anton Zeilinger confirmed that fullerenes, large molecules consisting of 60 carbon atoms, behave just the same.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Meet the 2026-27 Lakers, a team that will look different, sound different, feel different, play different and behave different from their recent predecessors in every way but one.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of behave

Verb

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
In the meantime, however, humankind was not there to be bettered.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 19 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 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of straighten (up or out)

verb

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