straighten (up or out)

verb

Definition of straighten (up or out)next
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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)
  1. improve
  2. trim
  3. shape up
  4. organize
  5. amend
  6. arrange
  7. behave
  8. better
Verb
  • But the goal is to improve food access for vulnerable residents, Wang said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Earlier this year, Atrium Health and WakeMed announced a merger agreement, projected to improve access and affordability across the state, accelerate growth and jobs in Wake County and transform mental healthcare.
    — Eva Flowe August 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of improve
Verb
  • Use sharp tools to trim blooms close to the stalk and avoid cutting off buds.
    — Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Haskell's team is also staying high in quality and coupons, trimming lower-coupon exposures in favor of those that are upward of 5% that the firm thinks are better poised to handle periods of market uncertainty.
    — Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of trim
Verb
  • Below are Maxwell’s projections and a brief look at how Class 3A shapes up in 2026.
    — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Roughly 85% of companies in the S&P 500 have reported their results and overall earnings growth for the period is shaping up to be the strongest since 2021.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of shape up
Verb
  • That win did not sit well with labor leaders throughout the country, who had hoped to expand upon their already-vast California union ranks through organizing rideshare drivers.
    — Paxton Honerkamp, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Gone are the days of wrestling an overstuffed suitcase—my compression packing cubes help maximize every inch of space and keep everything organized.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of organize
Verb
  • Missouri Amendment 2 Amendment 2 would amend the state constitution to require all charter counties, including Jackson County, to elect rather than appoint their county assessor.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Most of that expense is the work of teaching thousands of point-of-sale systems which specific products qualify in which specific state—a definition that shifts every time a waiver is approved, amended or thrown out.
    — Elie Y. Katz, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of amend
Verb
  • Bike rentals and a range of experiences can be arranged, including wine tasting and artisan workshops.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Tae-ha uses his own contacts to arrange a boat to Japan for Eun-sae a month later.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrange
Verb
  • But with its home entertainment release, McKenzie feels like major corporations are behaving as if his movie is too hot to touch.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Odyssey and the Gospels share a plot device in which both Odysseus and Jesus behave like undercover agents.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of behave
Verb
  • Asking for feedback is only one step of the process in bettering your organization.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Gogel rose 12 places with his 7-under 63, bettered only by Scotland's Stephen Gallacher in fifth with an 8-under 62, which included nine birdies.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 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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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 8 Aug. 2026.

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