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
-
And 2026 is shaping up to be the year to go.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026 -
Big Sky, Montana This year is shaping up to be a banner one for Big Sky, a 5,850-acre resort (America’s second largest behind Park City) awash with steeps, trees, bumps, and a gnarly triple black diamond run called Big Couloir, which drops more than 1,400 feet with a sustained pitch of 50 degrees.—
Amy Tara Koch,
Robb Report,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Georgia continues to find some rhythm offensively, trimming the lead to 14 at the third media timeout.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
-
City officials are now considering trimming or removing trees near the fields to improve visibility and reduce glare.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The organization is also tasked with improving coordination between government agencies and other stakeholders.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Meantime road crews have been working nonstop since Sunday and conditions were improving Monday night, but drivers are still being urged to stay off the roads and travel cautiously as snow continues to fall.—
Aaron Parseghian,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Gergely Karácsony, mayor of Budapest, Hungary, was charged with organizing an unlawful assembly despite a prohibition order for his role in organizing a gay pride event.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The story recounted how, in 1936, Columbia University expelled a student named Robert Burke for organizing a rally outside of the university president’s mansion, in protest of the university’s close ties with Nazism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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However the New York State Constitution happily and explicitly forbids such gamesmanship and amending the state Constitution can’t be done before this year’s midterms.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
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In an attempt to still force a vote on the censure, Zepeda proposed amending the mayor’s item to include a formal council admonishment.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At 99, Mel Brooks does not speak like a man arranging his legacy.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Decorating Your Flight While these compound butter ideas are mouthwatering on their own, arranging the tray is all part of the fun of a butter flight.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 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 1 Feb. 2026.
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