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
-
The new suit’s unique joints are shaping up to be a major advancement over previous space suits, but the AxEMU’s relatively high weight is still a cause for concern.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026 -
The North Carolina race is already shaping up as one of the most expensive Senate contests in the country.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The administration has framed trimming the agency’s headcount as a move towards modernity and higher efficiency.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In the 2025 session, lawmakers made billions of dollars in cuts, trimming the state budget from $72 billion to roughly $67 billion.—
Mary Murphy,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With the advent of better cancer-screening tools, survival rates are improving, and wonder-drug therapeutics for many conditions are now on the market.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In recent designs, AIP modules can extend underwater endurance from roughly two days to several weeks, significantly improving stealth and operational flexibility.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And now the daughters and granddaughters of the Ladies Aid and League of Catholic Women’s groups are organizing food, shelter, and finances against stone-cold invaders.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California has been organizing the Tết Festival for more than 40 years.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While the commission approved amending the license, the change is contingent on the installation of a camera and a potential fence requirement, pending review from the city’s Transportation, Engineering and Development department.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Results will direct you on the best method for amending soil.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors claim Sainz Salazar served as a key fentanyl producer for the Chapitos from about 2022 through 2025, helping manufacture millions of pills, arranging drug transactions under armed protection and operating labs that later became central to the group’s fentanyl production.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
At the club, Davenport liked to station himself near the first tee, talking to members, arranging their golf games and remembering who golfers liked (and didn’t like) to play with.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 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 11 Feb. 2026.
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