1
as in shaping up
to change one's behavior or character for the better
I hope that rehab will help her straighten up for good
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in trimming
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 straightening (up or out)
Verb
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From World Cup soccer to Steven Spielberg’s new space alien movie, this is shaping up as an epic weekend.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026 -
Fifteen players have already committed to play, the event announced Thursday, shaping up a field highlighted by three top-10 players, two Grand Slam champions, four Grand Slam finalists and four former DC Open champions.—
Bailey Johnson,
Washington Post,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Ensuring your porch is unwelcoming by relocating bird baths or feeders and trimming nearby trees can prevent birds from making nests.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
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Midfielder Mauricio pulled one back for Paraguay in the 73rd minute, trimming the United States' lead to 3-1.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Start by improving your credit score to get it as high as possible.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
That also means improving the quality of the bales that retailers bid on, mostly sight unseen, in what has become a kind of high-stakes lottery.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
Verb
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In the immediate aftermath of the stabbing, Lang was responsible for organizing a protest in support of Metcalf.—
Shawna Mizelle,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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Workers describe unpaid wages and threats The AP spoke to four workers from Kenya and one from India at a trade union center where officials were organizing assistance, including legal help and housing.—
Colleen Barry,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
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His party failed to win a supermajority, barring him from amending the constitution to give up Armenia’s claims to the Nagorno-Karabakh region, a central demand of Azerbaijan as a precondition for a lasting peace deal.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2026
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But lawmakers on Monday balked at his plan, amending it to clarify that Floridians with homestead exemptions would still have to pay property taxes that go to schools.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Their concierge team also is available to assist with arranging private airport transfers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
-
Shavers suggests arranging an annual check.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
9 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Straightening (up or out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straightening%20%28up%20or%20out%29. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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